Background: Multicompartmental intraventricular epidermoids behave differently from multicompartmental
extraventricular lesions and localized lesions during its management. Few studies
are available which have analyzed risk factors separately in these groups of cases
for recurrence of these lesions and time to recur. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective observational study, 72 cases of intracranial epidermoid were
treated over a span of 7 years. Cases were categorized into three groups. Group 1
comprised 15% (11/72) of cases with intraventricular multicompartmental, Group 2 with
22% (16/72) extraventricular giant tumors with multicompartmental involvement and
size >4.5 cm, and Group 3 comprised 63% (45/72) of patients with lesions <4.5 cm and
localized. Data pertaining to demography, clinical and radiological features, surgery
performed, postoperative complication, histology, and follow-up were obtained from
medical records available in the institute. Results: The average duration to treat was 1.86 ± 0.52 (standard deviation [SD]) years, with
headache as a major complaint in all the groups. Combined endoscope-assisted microsurgery
was performed in 38.8% (28/72), microsurgery in 54.1% (39/72), and endoscopic excision
in 6.9% (5/72) of cases. Tumor calcification was found in 23.6% (17/72) and preoperative
capsular enhancement was seen in 19.4% (14/72) which persisted in 79% (11/14) of cases
postoperatively on subsequent follow-up suggesting recurrence. On stepwise logistic
regression analysis, preoperative capsular enhancement was a strong predictor of recurrence
of tumor (P = 0.001). The average follow-up was 46 ± 14.92 (SD) months in Group 1,
52.34 ± 11.45 (SD) months in Group 2, and 63.36 ± 18.42 (SD) months in Group 3. Conclusion: Although the intracranial epidermoid is known to recur after long interval, tumor
with specific characteristics can recur in short span of 5–6 years. Tumor characteristics
such as preoperative capsular enhancement, multicompartmental distribution in vertebrobasilar
territory, large size, and presence of calcification are strong predictors for recurrence.
Performing endoscope-assisted microsurgery can decrease the postoperative morbidities
but does not reduce the recurrence risk.
Key-words:
Comparative study - different clinical features and management - extraventricular
giant epidermoid - intraventricular giant epidermoid