A mature cystic teratoma in pineal region mimicking parietal encephalocele in a newborn

Teratoma is the most frequently encountered intracranial tumor at birth and constitutes 18-20% of all germ cell tumors. They are usually located in pineal and suprasellar regions. The authors aim to report an extremely unusual presentation, location, and appearance of a teratoma in a newborn. A soft tissue swelling in the vertex was detected in a 1-month-old girl. Neurological examination was normal. A big, cystic-solid lesion beginning from pineal region and extending to the scalp was detected in magnetic resonance imaging. It is interesting to note that cerebral venous angiography showed that the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) was divided into three branches at the level of the lesion and they joined together distally. The tumor was excised totally. Histopathological examination revealed the diagnosis of a mature cystic teratoma. A mature cystic teratoma mimicking parietal encephalocele is extremely rare. Germ cell tumors should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of all midline lesions with unusual radiographic appearance. Cerebral venous angiography or MR angiography must be performed for the diagnosis and the surgical planning in lesions located near SSS.