Keywords
squamous cell carcinoma - cavernous sinus - epidermoid cyst
Introduction
An epidermoid cyst (EC) is slow-growing lesion of developmental origin, accounting
for 0.2 to 1.8% of all the intracranial tumors. It arises from the aberrant inclusions
of the ectodermal remnants that fail to regress between the third and fifth weeks
of intrauterine life after completion of neural embryogenesis.[1] The most frequent locations of their occurrence are the cerebellopontine angle (CPA),
parasellar region, middle cranial fossa, and prepontine cistern, and are extremely
rare in the cavernous sinus.[2] They are benign but rarely can undergo malignant transformation to squamous cell
carcinoma (SCC). This transformation has not yet been reported in the cavernous sinus.
By far, intracranial SCC manifests as metastases from a primary, located outside the
central nervous system or as a result of direct local spread from a head and neck
primary.[3] Herein, we report a case of SCC occurring in the cavernous sinus, 13 years after
complete excision of an EC at the same site, after ruling out known primary anywhere
else in the body.
Case History
A 40-year-old woman presented with left-sided headache, diplopia, and drooping of
the left eye for the past 15 days and was found to have oculomotor nerve palsy. Magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed a 15 × 14 × 11 mm mass with diffusion
restriction in the left cavernous sinus suggestive of an EC with a 25 × 25 × 24 mm
nonenhancing solid component ([Fig. 1]). She had a history of similar complaints 13 years ago when she was diagnosed with
EC at the same site. She underwent complete excision and its histopathology confirmed
an EC, showing benign stratified squamous epithelial lining, abundant lamellated keratin,
and foreign body giant cells. The present excision revealed an SCC composed of atypical
squamous epithelial cells arranged in trabeculae and papillae ([Fig. 2A]). Cells showed abundant cytoplasmic keratinization ([Fig. 2B]) with hyperchromatic and pleomorphic nuclei. Mitoses were brisk ([Fig. 2C]). The foci of necrosis were noted ([Fig. 2D]). There was no other primary on clinical examination and imaging. The patient was
then referred for radiotherapy but did not take the same and expired 1 year after
the operation.
Fig. 1 A 40-year-old woman with squamous cell carcinoma in the cavernous sinus presented
with headache, diplopia, and drooping of the left eye. Axial T2 and diffusion weighted
magnetic resonance imaging showed a mass lesion measuring 15 × 14 × 11 mm with diffusion
restriction (red arrow).
Fig. 2 (A) Atypical squamous cells arranged in trabeculae and papillae (×40, hematoxylin and
eosin [H&E] stain). (B) Cells showing abundant cytoplasmic keratinization (×400, H&E). (C) Cells showing pleomorphic nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and brisk mitosis (×400, H&E).
(D) Tumor with necrosis (×100, H&E).
Discussion
ECs are benign, lined by stratified squamous epithelium and contain abundant keratin
with variable amount of chronic inflammation. Among intracranial locations, the cavernous
sinus is a rare site. In 2018, Zhou et al published the largest case series of 31
cases of ECs of the cavernous sinus. According the study, most of them were located
in the parasellar region in the middle cranial fossa with a mean age of occurrence
at 46 years.[2]
Malignant transformation of benign cyst was predominant in males.[4] ECs in the cavernous sinus generally present with facial numbness, absent corneal
reflex, temporal muscle atrophy, and trigeminal neuralgia followed by abducens or
oculomotor nerve deficits such as diplopia.[2] Our case had a similar presentation.
Malignant transformation of EC was first described by Ernst in 1912[5] at the CPA. The largest review of literature was published in 2012 by Nagasawa et
al,[1] who reviewed a total of 58 cases of malignant transformation in intracranial EC.
The most frequently involved site was the CPA, but no case was seen in the cavernous
sinus.[1] To date, 85 cases of SCC occurring in the EC have been reported ([Table 1]).
Table 1
Literature review of SCCs arising in intracranial ECs from 1912 to date
|
Sl. no.
|
Year
|
Study
|
Age (y)
|
Sex
|
Location
|
Time to progression
|
|
1
|
1912
|
Ernst et al[5]
|
52
|
M
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
2
|
1942
|
Hug et al[8]
|
42
|
M
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
3
|
1951
|
Henkel et al[9]
|
49
|
M
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
4
|
1955
|
Yamanaka et al[10]
|
57
|
M
|
Base of brain
|
4 mo
|
|
5
|
1960
|
Davidson and Small et al[11]
|
46
|
M
|
Frontal
|
3 mo
|
|
6
|
1960
|
Landers and Danielski et al[12]
|
73
|
F
|
Frontal
|
1 mo
|
|
7
|
1964
|
Komjatszegi et al
|
45
|
F
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
8
|
1965
|
Fox et al[13]
|
43
|
M
|
Temporal
|
7 y
|
|
9
|
1965
|
Toglia et al[14]
|
54
|
M
|
Base of brain
|
1 y
|
|
10
|
1977
|
Koempf and Menges et al[15]
|
57
|
F
|
Parapontine
|
–
|
|
11
|
1981
|
Dubois et al[16]
|
53
|
M
|
Fourth ventricle
|
4 mo
|
|
12
|
1982
|
Takado et al[17]
|
53
|
F
|
Parapontine
|
–
|
|
13
|
1983
|
Lewis et al[18]
|
53
|
F
|
Parasellar
|
3 y
|
|
14
|
1984
|
Bondeson and Falt et al[19]
|
56
|
F
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
15
|
1984
|
Giangaspero et al[20]
|
45
|
M
|
Parieto-occipital
|
–
|
|
16
|
1986
|
Maffazzoni et al[21]
|
45
|
M
|
Fronto-basal
|
–
|
|
17
|
1986
|
Kubokura et al[22]
|
60
|
F
|
Temporal
|
–
|
|
18
|
1987
|
Salazar et al[23]
|
49
|
M
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
19
|
1987
|
Matsuno et al[24]
|
43
|
M
|
CPA
|
1 y
|
|
20
|
1987
|
Goldman and Gandy[25]
|
59
|
F
|
Intraventricular
|
33 y
|
|
21
|
1988
|
Ishimatsu et al[26]
|
40
|
M
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
22
|
1989
|
Nishiura et al[27]
|
38
|
M
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
23
|
1989
|
Michenet et al[28]
|
40
|
M
|
Latero-peduncular
|
–
|
|
24
|
1989
|
Abramson et al[29]
|
37
|
M
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
25
|
1990
|
Gi et al[30]
|
39
|
M
|
CPA
|
1 y
|
|
26
|
1991
|
Knorr et al[31]
|
74
|
M
|
CPA
|
31 y
|
|
27
|
1991
|
Tognetti et al[32]
|
67
|
F
|
Temporal lobe
|
31 y
|
|
28
|
1992
|
Delangre et al[33]
|
71
|
F
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
29
|
1993
|
Acciarri et al[34]
|
62
|
M
|
Parasellar
|
–
|
|
30
|
1994
|
Radhakrishnan et al[35]
|
53
|
M
|
Frontal
|
31 y
|
|
31
|
1995
|
Fuse et al[36]
|
74
|
F
|
CPA
|
−
|
|
32
|
1995
|
Nishio et al[37]
|
57
|
M
|
CPA
|
1 y
|
|
33
|
1995
|
Uchino et al[38]
|
57
|
M
|
CPA
|
1.5 y
|
|
34
|
1995
|
Mori et al[39]
|
42
|
M
|
CPA
|
3 mo
|
|
35
|
1996
|
Bayindir et al[40]
|
67
|
F
|
Intraventricular
|
8 mo
|
|
36
|
1996
|
Mohanty et al[41]
|
20
|
M
|
Posterior fossa
|
–
|
|
37
|
1999
|
Murase et al[42]
|
50
|
F
|
CPA
|
12 y
|
|
38
|
2000
|
Ishikawa et al[43]
|
65
|
M
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
39
|
2000
|
Sawan et al[44]
|
66
|
M
|
Prepontine
|
–
|
|
40
|
2001
|
Asahi et al[45]
|
55
|
F
|
CPA
|
13 y
|
|
41
|
2001
|
Khan et al[46]
|
53
|
M
|
Prepontine
|
6 mo
|
|
42
|
2001
|
Nawashiro et al[47]
|
46
|
M
|
Temporal lobe
|
–
|
|
43
|
2002
|
Link et al[48]
|
57
|
F
|
CPA
|
11 y
|
|
44
|
2002
|
Hatem et al[49]
|
40
|
M
|
Frontotemporal
|
–
|
|
45
|
2003
|
Akar et al[50]
|
−
|
F
|
CPA
|
1.5 y
|
|
46
|
2003
|
Monaco et al[51]
|
36
|
M
|
Cisterna magna
|
6 mo
|
|
47
|
2003
|
Hamlat et al[4]
|
54
|
F
|
Temporal lobe
|
3 y
|
|
48
|
2003
|
Shirabe et al[52]
|
49
|
F
|
Ventral pons
|
1.5 y
|
|
49
|
2004
|
Guan et al[53]
|
42
|
F
|
Temporal
|
17 y
|
|
50
|
2005
|
Michael et al[54]
|
45
|
M
|
Prepontine
|
1 mo
|
|
51
|
2006
|
Kodama et al[55]
|
67
|
M
|
CPA
|
8 y
|
|
52
|
2006
|
Tamura et al[6]
|
56
|
F
|
CPA
|
13 y
|
|
53
|
2006
|
Ge et al[56]
|
50
|
M
|
Temporal
|
6 y
|
|
54
|
2007
|
Pagni et al[57]
|
65
|
F
|
Pineal region
|
1 mo
|
|
55
|
2007
|
Agarwal et al[58]
|
45
|
M
|
Posterior fossa
|
1 mo
|
|
56
|
2008
|
Kim et al[59]
|
72
|
F
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
57
|
2008
|
Hao et al[60]
|
61
|
F
|
CPA
|
6 y
|
|
58
|
2009
|
Ge et al[61]
|
44
|
M
|
Right temporal lobe
|
6 y
|
|
59
|
2010
|
Nakao et al[62]
|
74
|
F
|
CPA
|
20 y
|
|
60
|
2010
|
Kano et al[63]
|
64
|
F
|
Parapontine
|
16 y
|
|
61
|
2010
|
Hao et al[64]
|
61
|
F
|
Right CPA
|
6 y
|
|
62
|
2011
|
Lakhdar et al[65]
|
52
|
M
|
CPA
|
6 y
|
|
63
|
2012
|
Chon et al[66]
|
43
|
M
|
CPA
|
27 y
|
|
64
|
2014
|
Vellutini et al[67]
|
43
|
F
|
CPA
|
24 y
|
|
65
|
2016
|
Solanki et al[68]
|
47
|
F
|
CPA
|
36 y
|
|
66
|
2016
|
Pikis et al[69]
|
77
|
M
|
CPA
|
12 y
|
|
67
|
2017
|
Ozutemiz et al[70]
|
64
|
M
|
Lat ventricle
|
23 y
|
|
68
|
2017
|
Mascarenhas et al[71]
|
35
|
F
|
CPA
|
5 y
|
|
69
|
2018
|
Kwon et al[72]
|
35
|
M
|
Left CPA
|
–
|
|
70
|
2019
|
Cuoco et al[3]
|
71
|
M
|
CPA
|
40 y
|
|
71
|
2019
|
Demuth et al[73]
|
67
|
F
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
72
|
2019
|
Fereydonyan et al[74]
|
30
|
M
|
CPA
|
5 y
|
|
73
|
2019
|
Gerges et al[75]
|
65
|
F
|
Pineal
|
–
|
|
74
|
2020
|
Romesberg et al
|
52
|
M
|
Left CPA
|
6 mo
|
|
75
|
2021
|
Zuo et al[76]
|
39
|
M
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
76
|
54
|
F
|
Suprasellar
|
–
|
|
77
|
43
|
M
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
78
|
44
|
M
|
CPA
|
3 y
|
|
79
|
51
|
M
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
80
|
48
|
M
|
CPA
|
15 y
|
|
81
|
61
|
M
|
CPA
|
28 y
|
|
82
|
61
|
M
|
CPA
|
–
|
|
83
|
60
|
M
|
CPA
|
5 y
|
|
84
|
2021
|
Sakamoto et al[77]
|
59
|
F
|
Right CPA
|
6 y
|
|
85
|
2023
|
Zhang et al[78]
|
58
|
M
|
Right frontoparietal lobe
|
–
|
Abbreviations: CPA, cerebellopontine angle; EC, epidermoid cyst; F, female; M, male;
SCC, squamous cell carcinoma.
No case of malignant transformation in EC has been reported in the cavernous sinus,
thus making this the first report of such transformation.
The mechanism of malignant transformation has not been well known, but certain hypotheses
suggest that subtotal resection of the cyst wall or chronic inflammation from ruptured
cyst contents or introduction of foreign material intraoperatively leads to metaplasia
and carcinoma.[1]
[4] Malignant transformation may present itself at the initial presentation or may develop
following a variable lag period of 3months to 33 years after resection of the previous
benign cyst.[6]
Garcia's criteria for malignant transformation state that the tumor must be restricted
to the intracranial, intradural compartment without extension beyond the dura or cranial
bones and there should not be any invasion or extension through intracranial orifices.
There should be no communication with the middle ear, air sinuses, sella turcica,
and no evidence of nasopharyngeal tumor. Hamlat et al proposed additional criteria
of the presence of benign squamous epithelium within the malignant tumor and the need
for ruling out metastases.[7]
ECs are totally resected by an extradural/interdural approach as it causes less chances
of brain or cranial nerve injury, but often, complete capsule removal cannot be achieved
and postoperative complications such as chemical meningitis and seizures due to chemical
irritation are known to occur. For intracranial SCCs, adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy
have proven to improve survival.[1]
[2]
Our patient underwent a left temporal craniotomy and total excision. Radiotherapy
was advised, but she did not take the same and expired 1 year after the operation.
Conclusion
Malignant transformation of an EC is a rare event with dismal prognosis. This is the
first case of an EC of the cavernous sinus to undergo malignant transformation to
SCC after 13 years of primary resection. Clinically, rapid deterioration postexcision
without hydrocephalus, recurrence, or failure to recover following surgery for a benign
cyst along with contrast-enhanced computed tomography or MRI findings of the lesion
should raise the suspicion for malignant transformation.