Ruptured cerebral epidermoid cyst : A rare cause of chronic headache

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Intracranial epidermoid cysts are rare, benign congenital tumors of the central nervous system that originate from ectodermal inclusions during embryogenesis. This case describes a spontaneous rupture of an epidermoid cyst in a 53-year-old male patient who presented with severe, treatment-resistant headaches. Diagnosis was confirmed through non-contrast computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which showed an extra-axial lesion with fat density and lipid droplet dissemination within the subarachnoid spaces. Surgical resection was performed, and the patient had a favorable postoperative outcome. Although rare, rupture of an epidermoid cyst with lipid dissemination is a clinically significant event with characteristic imaging features; early recognition on computed tomography (CT) and MRI is essential for accurate diagnosis and timely management.