A rare case report of giant cell tumor of the sphenoid bone in a patient who developed “erythema multiforme associated with phenytoin and cranial radiation therapy syndrome”

Giant cell tumors (GCTs) are rare, usually affecting the epiphyses in long bones of the extremities. GCTs may be locally aggressive with a high rate of local recurrence and exhibit the potential for distant metastasis. They seldom occur in the skull, where they preferentially affect the sphenoid and temporal bones. Several case reports with follow-up describe gross total resection of skull-base GCT to be curative. Radiation therapy, although controversial, is reserved for lesions that cannot be completely resected. Here, we describe the case of an 18-year-old female with GCT of sphenoid bone who underwent subtotal resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy, although whose radiotherapy could not be completed because of her demise due to erythema multiforme associated with phenytoin and cranial radiation therapy syndrome.

Key-words:

Erythema multiforme associated with phenytoin and cranial radiation therapy syndrome - giant cell tumor - radiotherapy - sphenoid bone

Publication History

Article published online:
14 September 2022