PRIMARY INTRACRANIAL METATYPICAL BASAL-CELL CARCINOMA - CASE-REPORT

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: A case of primary intracranial metatypic bas al cell carcinoma in a 20-year-old man is described. CLINICAL PRESENTA TION: A 20-year-old man presented with palsies of the left cranial ner ves VI through XII, including complete facial and vestibulocochlear ne rve palsy and signs of cerebellar dysfunction, which included left-sid ed brachydiadochokinesis and nystagmus when looking to the left. There was no evidence of extracranial tumor manifestation. Imaging showed a tumor located in the left pyramidal bone, filling the left cerebellop ontine cistern and compressing the brain stem with an extension into t he middle cranial fossa as far as the internal carotid artery. INTERVE NTION: Subtotal tumor removal was accomplished by a combined neurosurg ical-otolaryngological procedure through a transpetrosal approach. A h istopathological examination revealed a metatypical basal cell carcino ma. Postoperatively, a total dose of 60 Gy of radiation therapy was ad ministered over a period of 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: Although it is rare, primary intracranial basal cell carcinoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of tumors of the temporal bone.