Case
About this case
Operative video: Granuloma. The background notes below summarise the anatomy, pathology and approach, with published references.
Reference notes
Background
Notes on this case’s cranial location, pathology and surgical approach, with published sources. General education only, not advice for any individual patient.
Pathology
Granuloma
Intracranial granulomas are focal inflammatory masses from infectious (tuberculosis, fungal), inflammatory (sarcoidosis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis) or foreign-body causes; cholesterol granuloma of the petrous apex is a distinct entity. They can closely mimic neoplasm on imaging.
Management is directed at the underlying cause, with biopsy or resection/drainage when the diagnosis is uncertain or mass effect is significant.
References
- Stern BJ, Royal W 3rd, Gelfand JM, et al. Definition and consensus diagnostic criteria for neurosarcoidosis: from the Neurosarcoidosis Consortium Consensus Group. JAMA Neurol. 2018;75(12):1546-1553.
- Brackmann DE, Toh EH. Surgical management of petrous apex cholesterol granulomas. Otol Neurotol. 2002;23(4):529-533.
