Open Access
CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian Journal of Neurosurgery 2022; 11(02): 140-146
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1722828
Original Article

Differential Diagnosis of Calvarial Tumors: A Series of 8 Cases

Authors

  • Jitesh Kumar Sharma

    1   Department of Neurosurgery, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Rashim Kataria

    1   Department of Neurosurgery, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Madhur Choudhary

    1   Department of Neurosurgery, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
  • Devendra Kumar Purohit

    1   Department of Neurosurgery, SMS Medical College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
 

Abstract

Introduction To present and discuss the clinical presentations, investigations, and treatment options for skull bone tumors.

Materials and Methods This study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2019 at the Department of Neurosurgery. During this period, eight patients presented with skull bone tumor in the outpatient department. All patients were thoroughly investigated. Surgery was conducted on six patients and two patients had disseminated carcinoma; hence, surgery was not done. Patients were regularly followed-up after the surgery.

Results In our study, out of eight cases, five were females and three were males. We had two cases of fibrous dysplasia, two cases of osteomas, and one case each of brown tumor, metastases from lung carcinoma, metastases from follicular carcinoma of thyroid, and Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). Excision of tumor was performed where indicated and adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy was suggested wherever required.

Conclusion Bony tumors of the skull are uncommon diseases for the neurosurgeons. These tumors require a careful diagnosis with suitable radiological examinations and proper clinical correlation for proper management.


Introduction

Skull tumors are uncommon lesions, making up < 2% of all the musculoskeletal tumors.[1] They presented with skull mass, with or without pain, and with or without neurological symptoms. Skull bone tumors have complex regional anatomical features and require interdisciplinary therapy. Hence, understanding the differentiation and identifying the type of tumor is still a clinical challenge.

The World Health organization (WHO) divided skull tumors into the following three different categories: benign, malignant, and undefined neoplastic nature tumors (UNNT).[2] Among these three, malignant are the most common skull tumors. On the basis of primary proliferating cells, benign skull tumors can be cartilage-forming, bone-forming, tumor of blood or blood vessels, tumor of connective tissues, Paget disease, or epidermoid, dermoid, or aneurysmal bone cysts. In radiography, benign tumors usually indicated as well-defined borders with a narrow transition zone and sclerotic margins. Among the above-mentioned benign skull tumors, osteomas are the most common bone forming brain tumors. Osteomas mostly occur in the frontal bone of the skull. Osteomas on CT image give the impression of round sclerotic lesions, arising from the outer table of the skull without involvement of diploë.[4] The second most common benign skull tumor is hemangioma. As the name suggests, hemangiomas are tumors of blood or blood vessel origin, comprise approximately 10% of benign skull tumors and usually occur in adults (4th to 6th decade).[5] In CT scans, hemangiomas appear as trabeculae, sunburst pattern. Surgical resection is the prevalent common treatment for all benign tumors. Another calvarial tumor is fibrous dysplasia. It mostly occurs among young individuals and is formed through replacement of normal bone by immature woven bone. It appears as an intradiploic, expansive lesion with the characteristic “ground-glass matrix” in the CT scan.[6] [7] Frontal and temporal bones are the preferential locations for fibrous dysplasia, which may cross sutures. Surgical interventions are required in case of severe mass effect.[4]

Among malignant skull tumors, metastases are the most common malignant tumors in adults (above age of 50). Metastases are usually secondary to adult breast, lung, prostate, renal and thyroid cancer and to children’s neuroblastomas or sarcomas.[8] Metastases typically manifest as several osteolytic lesions that spread into adjacent tissues with a soft-tissue element. In malignant skull tumors, margins are poorly defined, having a wide transition zone, aggressive periosteal reaction, and often have a soft tissue component. These lesions cause dramatic, intracranial or extracranial destruction.[9] When single and expanded osteolytic lesions are encountered, metastasis from thyroid or renal neoplasm should be suspected. Sclerotic metastases are seen in prostate cancer.[9] Other malignant tumors include osteogenic sarcoma, chondrosarcoma, multiple myelomas, and chordoma. Hence, due to varying histopathology of these skull tumors, a detailed understanding of these tumors is required. We therefore, conducted this case series on skull tumors, analyzing their clinical, pathology, and radiographical features.


Materials and Methods

This prospective study was conducted on eight patients admitted with skull tumors at the Department of Neurosurgery during January 2019 to December 2019. The patients were incorporated in the study after obtaining an informed and written consent. Patients of all age group were included in the study. Initial examination in the form of CT and MRI was suggested to all patients. Clinical parameters, including age, sex, and tumor location, were noted. Surgery or excision of tumor was planned according to the site and condition of tumor.


Result

Patients of all age groups were included in the study. Among eight cases, three were males and the rest were females. Majority of the patients were adults in our study. Herein, we found two cases of fibrous dysplasia, two cases of osteomas, and one case each of brown tumor, metastases from lung carcinoma, Ewing sarcoma/primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), and metastases from follicular carcinoma of thyroid. The summary of all the cases is given in [Table 1].

Table 1

Summary of lesions

S No.

Age

Sex

Location

Symptoms

Management

Diagnosis

Type of tumor

Abbreviations: PNET, primitive neuroectodermal tumor; UNNT, undefined neoplastic nature tumor.

1

23

F

Left frontal bone

Pain, swelling

Surgical excision

Osteoma

Benign

2

52

M

Midline forehead frontal region

Headache

Surgical excision

Brown tumor

Benign

3

20

M

Left frontal bone

Painless swelling

Surgical excision + cranioplasty

Fibrous dysplasia

UNNT

4

60

F

Midline forehead frontal region

Painless swelling

Radiotherapy + chemotherapy

Metastases from lung carcinoma

Malignant

5

38

F

Right occipital bone

Fungating mass, headache

Radiotherapy + chemotherapy

Ewing’s sarcoma/PNET

Malignant

6

50

F

Right occipital bone

Painless swelling

Surgical excision + Radiotherapy +/− chemotherapy

Metastases from thyroid follicular carcinoma

Malignant

7

16

M

Left frontal bone

Painless swelling

Surgical excision + cranioplasty

Fibrous dysplasia

UNNT

8

18

F

Left Frontal bone

Pain, swelling

Surgical excision

Osteoma

Benign

Among eight cases, four cases presented with painful swelling, whereas rest four cases presented with painless swelling. It comprises fibrous dysplasia, metastases from thyroid follicular carcinoma, and metastases from lung carcinoma. Left frontal bone was the most frequent location, with predominately benign tumors. In our study, the most common benign tumors were osteomas. Giant cell tumor (GCT) was the only tumor with intermediate malignant potential. Illustrated detailing of tumors is provided in the next section.

Two patients underwent cranioplasty after surgery. In the case of metastases, after surgical removal of head tumor, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were given to the patients as further management. Two patients had disseminated cancer, so only biopsy/fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed and radiotherapy and chemotherapy were given.


Discussion

Calvarial tumors of the skull are rare lesions; therefore, they have not been systematically investigated in literature. With the advancement of radiographical techniques, study of calvarial tumors become approachable.

Osteomas

Osteomas are slow-growing benign tumors majorly arising in the craniofacial region. We encountered two cases of osteomas. Both patients were females (of age 18 and 23 years) and admitted with complaints of of dull aching pain and swelling over left frontal region since 2 and 1.5 years, respectively. The patients were evaluated and diagnosed as a case of frontal bone swelling (as shown in [Fig. 1]). CT head suggested expansile lesion in left frontal bone, with no evidence of surrounding soft tissue and no intraparenchymal abnormality. Surgery was performed and total excision of lesion done. Histopathology was suggestive of fibroblastic cells with bony sclerosis. Herein, during follow-up, no recurrence of lesion was seen in surgically excised tumor. The survival rate is 100% in our cases.

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Fig. 1 Osteomas CT axial head image showing juxtacortical sclerotic lesion along the outer table of left frontal bone (as indicated by arrow).

Osteomas are noncancerous, slowly growing fibrous tumors with small osteoid or osseous spicules embedded in proliferating connective tissues.[10] [11] According to literature, the most common site for osteoma is the frontoethmoidal region.[12] Peak incidence of these tumors is 10 to 30 years. These lesions are generally formed in outer table, and inner table remains intact. A head CT of osteomas show homogenous, well-defined, sclerotic lesions. Osteomas are 100% treatable by surgery. Similar to osteomas, osteoblastoma is a relatively rare benign tumor, having similar histopathology to osteoid osteomas. In comparison to osteomas, osteoblastomas are relatively larger and possess more fibrous stroma, many multinucleated giant cells, extravasated blood, and less osteoid.[13]


Brown Tumor

Giant cell tumors (GCT) are one of the rare lesions of skull, which ascend from the nonosteogenic stromal cells of bone marrow.[14] In our study, we encountered a 52-year-old male admitted with chief complaint of swelling associated with headache over forehead region since 6 months. Patient was evaluated and MRI along with CT head was done, which suggested expansile lobulated lesion of frontal bone, causing erosion of both outer and inner table with expansion of bone which, in turn, caused mass effect bifrontal lobes. The head MRI and CT is shown in [Fig. 2A], [B] respectively. USG neck was suggestive of right parathyroid mass. Patient showed hyperparathyroidism with parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels > 2000 pg/mL, elevated serum calcium levels (14.56 mg/dl) along with elevated alkaline phosphate values (559 IU/L) and normal serum phosphorus levels (3.55 mg/dl). Surgery was planned and gross total excision of bony swelling done. Histopathology was suggestive of giant cell lesion. As patient is afflicted with hyperparathyroidism, brown tumor was also suggested. The patient was referred to endocrinology for further management. During follow-up, no recurrence of lesion seen in surgically excised tumor.

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Fig. 2 Brown tumor. (A) T2-weighted MRI axial image showing expansible lobulated lesion over frontal bone, causing indentation over bifrontal bone. (b) Head CT axial image showing erosion of outer and inner table with bony expansion.

Brown tumor is a benign osseous lesion associated mainly with hyperparathyroidism.[15] The tumor majorly occurs in medullary shaft of long bones and can be multifocal or solitary.[16] Brown tumor is a localized accumulation of fibrous tissue and giant cells which can replace bone and cause bone expansion. Brown tumors are generally well-defined unilocular or multilocular pure lytic lesions, which stimulate little reactive bone formation. The pathologically equivalent giant cell tumors mostly have indistinguishable boundaries and blend into the bone, a finding which can be used to differentiate them from brown tumors. Brown tumor is usually associated with elevated serum calcium levels and alkaline phosphate and low level of serum phosphate.[17] For successful management of brown tumor, reducing the PTH levels is significant. Surgical treatment, including removal of parathyroid mass, could be effective. Bisphosphonates can be recommended for normalizing serum calcium levels.[18]


Fibrous Dysplasia

Fibrous dysplasia is a rare bone disorder in which lesion (fibrous) tissue develops in place of normal tissue. In our study, we encountered two patients of fibrous dysplasia. Both patients were male of ages 20 and 36 years, respectively. They were admitted with complaints of painless swelling in left frontal bone. CT head of both patients suggested thickening and expansion of left frontal bone, with no evidence of surrounding soft tissue and no intraparenchymal lesion seen, as shown in [Fig. 3]. In one case, asymmetry of lateral ventricle is seen. Surgery was performed and complete excision of swelling done, followed by cranioplasty. Histopathology was suggestive of fibrous dysplasia. No recurrence of lesion was seen in surgically excised tumor during follow-up.

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Fig. 3 Fibrous dysplasia. Axial CT head image showing thickening and expansion of left frontal bone.

Fibrous dysplasia is often characterized by replacement of normal bone by immature woven bone hence, weakening the bone.[4] Fibrous dysplasia mainly occurs in childhood and young age (10–30 years). Generally, it is asymptomatic and painless, but due to mass enhancement, sometimes it shows symptoms on account of increased mass. These tumors are majorly found in frontal and temporal bones. In a study by Leeds,[19] 46 patients having fibrous dysplasia were studied. The most common symptom of this tumor is asymmetry of skull and facial bone. Although the etiology is still not clear, the molecular biology suggests a mutation in the Gsα subunit and activation of c-fos and other proto-oncogenes.[20]


Metastatic Tumors

Metastases to the calvarium is common (15–25%) in cancer patients. The most common metastases occur from breast cancer, followed by lung, prostate and lymphoma. Metastases from thyroid is not common in literature.[21] Follicular subtype is most common in metastases from the thyroid carcinomas. In our study, a 50-year-old female presented with gradually progressive painless swelling over right occipital region since 1 year. CT head suggested heterogeneous enhancing soft tissue density mass with calcific foci ([Fig. 4A]), causing bony destruction of occipital bone on right side along with extracranial extension, as illustrated in [Fig. 4B]. On further evaluation, ultrasonography neck suggested hypoechoic lesion in right thyroid lobe. The patient underwent surgery and wide local excision of swelling with extracranial part was done. Histopathology showed presence of varied sizes of thyroid follicles, with nuclear atypia and focal presence of colloid. Overall, it favors metastases from thyroid follicular carcinoma. The patient had undergone total thyroidectomy and completed postoperative radiotherapy. Similar observations were found by other researchers also where skull metastases from thyroid follicular carcinoma occurred.[22] [23] [24] Literature and our observations suggest that these tumors are more common in females compared with males. The most favorable site for these tumors is midline of the frontal and parietooccipital region.[21]

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Fig. 4 Metastases from follicular carcinoma of thyroid. (A) Head CT showing soft tissue with calcified foci and (B) bony destruction of right occipital bone (as indicated by arrow).

In another case, a 60-year-old female presented with painless swelling over forehead region for 2 months. CT head suggested destructive soft tissue density lesion with calcification in frontal bone glabela and forehead region, with erosion of frontal bone causing metastases, as demonstrated in [Fig. 5]. On further investigation, CT thorax and abdomen showed a malignant mass, with spiculated margins seen in left lung upper lobe along with foci of calcification and multiple enlarged lymph nodes seen in prevascular, pre, and paratracheal region with liver and adrenal metastasis. USG-guided FNAC of frontal region mass suggested poorly differentiated malignant neoplasm. Overall diagnosis suggests metastases from lung carcinoma. The patient survived only for 2 months after referral and had not completed the chemotherapy regime. Bone metastases from lung cancer is too common in advanced lung cancers.[25] Approximately, 30 to 40% lung cancer patients show metastases to bone. Lung cancer cells spread either through the bloodstream or through the lymphatics to the brain. After breast cancer, lung cancer is the most common cancer that spreads to the brain. Approximately, 25% lung cancer patients develop metastases to the brain during the course of illness. Komatsu et al[26] investigated 70 patients with brain metastases from histologically confirmed lung cancer. The type was subdivided into three categories: adenocarcinoma, small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), and other nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Turner et al.[27] encountered a rare case of lung cancer metastases with a solitary skull metastasis. D’Antonio et al[25] presented a review, explaining the recent advances in therapeutic strategies in bone and brain metastases in lung cancer. Surgery, irradiation, stereotactic radiosurgery, and chemotherapy can be used to treat patients with such kind of tumors.

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Fig. 5 Metastases of lung carcinoma. Head CT suggestive of destructive soft-tissue density lesion with calcification in frontal bone glabela.

Osteosarcoma is malignant skull tumor in which tumor cell produce osteoid or immature bone.[28] As much as 5 to 10% of osteosarcomas are from lung metastases, and imaging of chest should be done. Chemotherapy is required along with surgery in the treatment of these tumors. Multiple myelomas are another common malignant bone neoplasm in adults. Multiple myelomas (tumor of plasma cells) can be defined as bone marrow disorder characterized by monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells.[29] It mainly occurs in adults (above 40 years age). In CT scans, it appears as “punched out osteolytic lesions.”


Ewing’s Sarcoma

Peripheral PNET, also known as Ewing sarcoma, show varying degrees of neuroectodermal differentiation.[30] In an another case, we encountered a 42-year-old female, who presented with gradually progressive fungating swelling (see [Fig. 6A]) and dull aching pain in midline occipital region since 30 days. Head CT shows large heterogeneously enhancing soft tissue density mass lesion in occipital region, with involvement of cutaneous-subcutaneous planes and erosive destruction of bony occiput, and extension to right paramedian parieto-occipital lobe, as shown in [Fig. 6B]. On further evaluation, CT chest and abdomen showed diffuse pulmonary metastasis with bilateral adrenal and bilateral adnexal involvement, and lytic lesion in both femoral head and acetabulum. This probably suggests aggressive malignant mass lesion. Histopathology findings suggest primitive PNET/Ewing’s sarcoma. Chemotherapy was suggested to the patient for 3 months for initial follow-up. Ewing’s sarcoma is highly malignant bone tumor, commonly affecting the long bones and the pelvis. It is more prevalent in young adults and in children.[31] [32] It is more prevalent in frontal and parietal convexities.[33] These tumors can be characterized by small round blue cells sheets with an increased nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio.[34] Tumor cell membranes normally express CD99 and vimentin.[35] In CT, an “onion-peel” arrangement with layers of bone mottling and erosion, as well as new bone formation, can be found.[36] Surgical removal of the tumor can be done followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy, all of which are essential. Prognosis of Ewing sarcoma is poor-to-moderate, depending on condition and follow-up treatment.[31] [36]

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Fig. 6 Ewing sarcoma. (A) Fungating lesion over scalp in occipital region and (B) Head CT axial image showing lesion over occipital region, with erosive destruction of bony occiput.


Conclusion

Skull tumor can be categorized into benign, malignant, and undefined neoplastic nature tumors (UNNT). Skull tumors require a careful diagnostic, suitable radiological examinations, and proper clinical correlation to establish a correct diagnosis and treatment procedure. In the case of malignant tumors, chemo- and radiotherapy are further suggested to the patients. Postoperative follow-up is suggested in all the cases. Further management and quality of life of the patient is dependent on the histopathological diagnosis.



Conflict of Interest

None declared.


Address for correspondence

Devendra Kumar Purohit, MS, Mch
Department of Neurosurgery
SMS Medical College, Jaipur 302004, Rajasthan
India   

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
25. Mai 2021

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Zoom
Fig. 1 Osteomas CT axial head image showing juxtacortical sclerotic lesion along the outer table of left frontal bone (as indicated by arrow).
Zoom
Fig. 2 Brown tumor. (A) T2-weighted MRI axial image showing expansible lobulated lesion over frontal bone, causing indentation over bifrontal bone. (b) Head CT axial image showing erosion of outer and inner table with bony expansion.
Zoom
Fig. 3 Fibrous dysplasia. Axial CT head image showing thickening and expansion of left frontal bone.
Zoom
Fig. 4 Metastases from follicular carcinoma of thyroid. (A) Head CT showing soft tissue with calcified foci and (B) bony destruction of right occipital bone (as indicated by arrow).
Zoom
Fig. 5 Metastases of lung carcinoma. Head CT suggestive of destructive soft-tissue density lesion with calcification in frontal bone glabela.
Zoom
Fig. 6 Ewing sarcoma. (A) Fungating lesion over scalp in occipital region and (B) Head CT axial image showing lesion over occipital region, with erosive destruction of bony occiput.