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Skull Base 2002; 12(1): 009-018
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-21568
CASE REPORT

Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Recurrent Giant Cell Reparative Granuloma of the Skull Base and the Paranasal Sinuses Presenting with Acute One-Sided Blindness

Stefan K.-R. Plontke1 , Claus-Peter Adler4 , Jan Gawlowski2 , Ulrike Ernemann3 , Sigrid A. Friese3 , Peter K. Plinkert5
  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany
  • 2Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany
  • 3Department of Neuroradiology/Interventional Radiology, University of Tubingen, Tubingen, Germany
  • 4Department of Pathology, Reference Center of Bone Diseases, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
  • 5Department of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery, University of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 May 2004 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The etiology, pathogenesis, histopathologic diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of giant cell reparative granulomas of the skull are controversial. We report a 14-year-old girl with an advanced recurrent giant cell reparative granuloma of the skull base and paranasal sinuses whose only clinical manifestation was a loss of vision. After undergoing endovascular catheter embolization, the patient underwent repeated surgical resections of the mass via a combined frontobasal and modified infratemporal approach followed by radiation therapy. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of giant cell reparative granuloma. A traumatic event in the patient's history-a fossa canina abscess followed by tooth extraction 14 months before admission-supports the theory of a reactive reparative process as a pathogenetic mechanism for this disease. Histopathologic criteria and clinical aggressiveness must be considered to achieve adequate treatment of giant cell lesions of the skull.

KEYWORD

Giant cell reparative granulomas - giant cell tumor - skull base

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