Pediatric Foramen Ovale Dermoid Cyst: A Rare Case and Systematic Review of Middle Fossa Dermoid Cysts in Children

Intracranial dermoid cysts are usually asymptomatic and discovered incidentally. In children, intracranial dermoid cysts occurring beyond the confines of the posterior cranial fossa are rare. We present the first case of an unruptured pediatric foramen ovale dermoid cyst with 18 months of follow-up along with a systematic review of the literature on middle fossa dermoid cysts in children. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a literature search was conducted to identify all cases of pediatric middle fossa dermoid cysts. Uponcomprehensive review of the literature, we found only nine cases of middle cranial fossa dermoid cysts in children. Gross total resection was achieved in seven cases commonly via a subtemporal or pterional approach. All patients were alive at the last follow-up. Surgical resection of middle fossa dermoid cysts can be safely performed in children while protecting neurologic function and achieving durable radiographic results.