Non-surgical lntracranial Tumors: Lipomas

Abstract

Scientific Background: Although intracranial masses are accepted as surgical entities, lipomas are uncommon tumors managed conservatively. Lipomas should be included in the differential diagnosis of lesions with imaging characteristics similar to dermoids; and the effort of radical excision may misdiagnosely lead to loss of patients. As lipomas represent nonspesific clinical trial, advanced radiological investigations including various sequences of MRI are of crucial importance for diagnosis. Objective: We aimed to present clinical and radiological findings of five patients with intracranial lipomas detected on MRI. Method: The study consists five patients aged between 28-65 (threewomen, two men) whose are detected intracranial lipomas between 1999-2004. The radiologic studies permitted the diagnosis of this entity in an objective way based on their intensity criterias and subarachnoid localizations. Findings: Treatment had been conservative in alt cases unless it was associated with hydrocephalus in which case shunt procedure was applied. MRI is critical for diagnosis of lipomas. Conclusions: lntracranial lipomas are uncommon and rarely symptomatic lesions. When it is symptomatic, epilepsy, mental-motor retardation, hydrocephalus, headache, hemiparesia, cranial nerve involvement may be present. Treatment is conservative. Surgical intervention may be necessary in which cases with intractable epilepsy or hydrocephalus. The total excision of the intracranial lipomas are quite difficult to beexcised since they are tightly entangled with the neural tissue and would be fatal. Surgery is technically difficult carrying high mortality. Diagnosis can be made with certainity in MRI, with its signal characteristics and typical localizations.