Archives of the AFIP -- RadioGraphics 1995; 15: 1437-1455

Figure Legend | Panel A | Panel B | Panel C | Panel D

Figure 8: Benign mature teratoma of the posterior fossa in a newborn boy. Panel A Lateral radiograph demonstrates a mass with well-developed teeth in the posterior fossa. Histologically, this lesion also contained adipose tissue and cartilage (ie, mesodermal tissues). Panel B Direct sagittal CT scan reveals to better advantage a supratentorial defect in the calvaria, with an intracranial area of lipid attenuation in continuity with the subcutaneous fat. The infratentorial mass does not appear to be in direct continuity, but it also has regions of fatty attenuation, in addition to the well-formed teeth. Panel C On the axial CT scan, the mass is clearly in the midline of the posterior fossa. Panel D Photograph of the occipital bone shows a skin dimple that was the opening into the fatty supratentorial mass. Most teratomas are isolated tumors; rarely, they are associated with other anomalies, as in this case. Although teeth may rarely be found in monodermal inclusion cysts (dermoids), this lesion also contained adipose tissue and cartilage and thus was bidermal and therefore a teratoma.

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