Unusual cause of cerebellar abscess: occipital dermal sinus and dermoid cyst

Abstract

Cerebellar abscess induced by a contiguous dermal sinus is a rare event. In a large series of acute posterior fossa abscedation, otogenic suppuration is the cause in 93% of the cases, while hematogenous infection is infrequent, probably because of the relatively weak bloodflow in this part of the central nervous system. The authors present an occipital dermal sinus and dermoid cyst revealed by a cerebellar abscess. The literature is reviewed briefly, treatment and prophylactic measures are discussed.