Desmoplastic fibroma of the skull: a case report

Desmoplastic Fibroma of the Skull in an Infant: A Case Report

Desmoplastic fibromas are rare benign bone tumors occurring primarily in long bones and mandible. In this case report, we present a desmoplastic fibroma originating from the left frontal bone. This is an exceptionally rare presentation of this pathology and the associated imaging and pathologic slides are highly educational. We discuss the relevance to the literature and how to manage these patients clinically.

Desmoplastic Fibroma of the Pediatric Cranium: An Aggressive Skull Tumor with Local Recurrence

Cranial desmoplastic fibroma (DF) is extremely rare and only 20 cases, including only 7 pediatric cases, have been reported previously. We describe the first case of a child with cranial DF that increased in size over a short-term and recurred after resection. The aim of this case report was to discuss the clinical, radiological, and histological characteristics and optimal treatment for this rare and aggressive skull tumor.

Fibro-osseous lesion of the cranium in an adolescent patient

Background:

Fibrous dysplasia, ossifying fibroma, and desmoplastic fibroma are rare benign calvarial lesions, which can have local aggressive behavior. These tumors can present with similar clinical and radiologic characteristics making diagnosis difficult at times.

Case Description:

A 16-year-old male presents after noting an indentation of his skull. Comparison with current and previous imaging revealed progressive erosion of the skull underlying the indentation.

Conclusion:

Fibrous dysplasia, ossifying fibroma, and desmoplastic fibroma are rare fibro-osseous tumors with similar characteristics radiographically. Accurate diagnosis of these tumors can be difficult even with the combination of clinical presentation, imaging, and pathology. The treatment of choice is resection and cranial reconstruction, if necessary, with close follow-up as recurrence can occur.

Desmoplastic fibroma of the cranium in a young man

Desmoplastic fibroma, which develops predominantly in long bones and the mandible, is a rare and benign but locally aggressive tumor. Desmoplastic fibroma of the cranium is extremely rare. We report a case of desmoplastic fibroma of the frontal bone in a young man. Because of its locally aggressive behavior, complete surgical excision with a safety margin is essential.

Desmoplastic fibroma of the skull in an infant

CASE REPORT

A 1-year-old girl presented with a 10-month history of progressive protuberance of the left frontal skull. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography demonstrated a large osteolytic interosseous mass extending to the frontal sinus and temporal base without any intracranial invasion. A fronto-temporo-parietal craniectomy of the outer skull table and excision of an interosseous tumor resulted in local dural exposure in the temporal area that was covered by cranioplasty. Pathological examination identified desmoplastic fibroma (DF) of the skull. The patient's cranial asymmetry was improved without recurrence of the tumor up to the 12th month after excision.

DISCUSSION

In the literature, 11 cases of DF of the skull have been reported, two of which have involved children (one an infant). We report the second known infantile case of DF of the skull.