Location
Suwanee, GA
Start Date
6-5-2025 1:00 PM
End Date
6-5-2025 4:00 PM
Description
Intro
A 21-year-old female was found to have thickened parietal bones and abnormal calvaria during a routine anatomy dissection. She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, although the specific type of tumor was not identified. Skull thickening associated with brain tumors occurs due to pressure from the tumor, which stimulates bone growth. Other conditions that can lead to skull thickening include meningiomas, tuberous sclerosis, skeletal dysplasias, and acromegaly.
Methods
In the gross anatomy lab, thickening of the skull was observed during routine dissection. Permissions were secured from the body donation program and the donor's family to document and publish the findings for education. Soft tissues and the brain were removed from the skull. The skull was treated with a small amount of lye to help clean the skull for examination. The pathology was measured with calipers and photographed for further analysis.
Results
The right parietal bone was significantly thicker than the left parietal bone (7.2 mm and 5.8 mm, respectively). All other skull thickness measurements were the normal ranges.
Discussion
Our case highlights a 21-year-old female donor exhibiting parietal bone thickening, likely due to her history of malignant brain neoplasms. Skull thickening near tumor sites is common, resulting from tumor pressure that stimulates osteoblast activity. This case provides valuable insight into how malignant brain tumors and other conditions can cause skull thickening. Using skull measurements, clinicians can better understand these pathologies and assess outcomes related to malignant tumors and other causes of skull thickening.
Embargo Period
5-29-2025
Included in
Thickened skull found in case study with history of metastatic brain cancer
Suwanee, GA
Intro
A 21-year-old female was found to have thickened parietal bones and abnormal calvaria during a routine anatomy dissection. She was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, although the specific type of tumor was not identified. Skull thickening associated with brain tumors occurs due to pressure from the tumor, which stimulates bone growth. Other conditions that can lead to skull thickening include meningiomas, tuberous sclerosis, skeletal dysplasias, and acromegaly.
Methods
In the gross anatomy lab, thickening of the skull was observed during routine dissection. Permissions were secured from the body donation program and the donor's family to document and publish the findings for education. Soft tissues and the brain were removed from the skull. The skull was treated with a small amount of lye to help clean the skull for examination. The pathology was measured with calipers and photographed for further analysis.
Results
The right parietal bone was significantly thicker than the left parietal bone (7.2 mm and 5.8 mm, respectively). All other skull thickness measurements were the normal ranges.
Discussion
Our case highlights a 21-year-old female donor exhibiting parietal bone thickening, likely due to her history of malignant brain neoplasms. Skull thickening near tumor sites is common, resulting from tumor pressure that stimulates osteoblast activity. This case provides valuable insight into how malignant brain tumors and other conditions can cause skull thickening. Using skull measurements, clinicians can better understand these pathologies and assess outcomes related to malignant tumors and other causes of skull thickening.
Comments
Presented by Haley Wrobel