Skull osteolysis after mild head trauma: case report

BACKGROUND To our knowledge, there have been only two reported cases of patients with osteolytic skull lesions secondary to head trauma without concomitant skull fracture. METHODS We present a case of skull bone lysis, not associated with skull fracture in a 20-year-old male, after mild head injury. During surgery, tumorous skull tissue of benign appearance was excised and primary cranioplasty was performed. RESULTS The pathological examination showed an inflammatory reactive process within the bone lesion. Three years after surgery the patient was asymptomatic and studies did not show any new bone changes. CONCLUSIONS The authors draw attention to this exceptionally rare condition, pointing out the necessity of surgical biopsy, contrary to some opinions.