TEMPORAL OSTEOCLASTOMA - AN EXCEPTIONAL LESION IN INFANCY

Osteoclastoma is a rare skeletal lesion, characterized by large multin ucleated giant osteoclastic cells; this lesion usually affects young a dults with a prevalence of 1 case/1 million population. We report the case of a 9-year-old girl with a right temporal tumescence: X-ray, CT and MRI revealed the presence of a right temporal hyperostotic ringlik e area over the lambdoid suture, with irregular margins and calcareous deposits. The tumour was expanding mainly toward the endocranium invo lving both cranial tables and diploe, without infiltrating the brain p arenchyma. The child underwent complete microsurgical removal of the l esion. Histopathological findings revealed the giant cell tumour osteo clastoma. Correct modern preoperative neuroimaging workup, coupled wit h microneurosurgical technique, allowed successful lesion removal with good outcome. A review of the more recent literature and of mechanism s of pathology together with neuroradiological protocol and results of treatment are discussed.