Giant craniofacial immature teratoma with primary intracranial lesions

Abstract

Teratomas can occur in almost any region of the body and are the most common extragonadal germ cell childhood tumors. Immature teratomas in the head and neck region cause severe deformity and threat life because of several reasons. Imaging investigation (ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) is of outmost importance for the diagnosis and preoperative planning, considering that the total surgical resection of the teratoma constitutes the treatment of choice. Untreated teratomas have mortality rates of 80% to 100%. In this study, a giant craniofacial immature teratoma having both intracranial and extracranial primary lesions is reported. As a conclusion, intracranial primary lesions should be kept in mind in extracranial head and neck immature teratoma cases.