Purpose of review: Intracranial dermoid cysts are benign, rare mass-occupying lesions of the central nervous system arising from the neuroectodermal cell lines. While rupture of intracranial dermoid cysts is rare, it can present with a variety of clinical manifestations. To explore the headache manifestations among patients with ruptured intracranial dermoid cysts. To our knowledge, limited studies focusing on headache due to the intracranial dermoid cysts rupture have been published to date. A literature review was done through PubMed/Medline. Articles within the past 10 years were reviewed. Articles in languages other than English were excluded.
Recent findings: Rupture of intracranial dermoid cysts could have various manifestations including headache, seizure, and meningitis. Depending on the location of the cyst, headache secondary to the rupture of the intracranial dermoid cysts could present in different ways. A detailed systematic literature review of headache presentations due to intracranial dermoid cysts rupture is provided.
Keywords: Dermoid cyst rupture; Dermoid rupture and headache; Intracranial dermoid cyst; Spinal dermoid cysts rupture and headache.