Rare Giant Cell Tumour of the Left Parieto-Occipital Skull in an 8-Year-Old Female Patient: A Case Report

Introduction: Giant cell tumors (GCTs) are typically benign but locally aggressive lesions, typically found at the metaphyseal or epiphyseal regions of the tibia or femur, long bones. It predominantly occurs in young adults aged 20 to 40 with a high recurrence rate and the potential for aggressive behaviour. Local aggressiveness varies from focal symptoms arising from bony or cortical destruction and surrounding soft tissue expansion to the rare occurrence of metastasis.Involvement of the cranial bones, particularly in pediatric patients, is exceedingly rare. Case Presentation: We report the case of an 8-year-old female patient who presented with a progressively enlarging mass over the left parieto-occipital region of the skull for 18 months. Imaging revealed a large, lytic, expansile lesion compressing the occipital and parietal lobes. The patient underwent surgical excision via craniotomy. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a giant cell tumor of bone. Postoperative follow-up showed no recurrence at 6 months. Discussion: This case highlights the rare presentation of GCT in the pediatric skull, underscoring the diagnostic and surgical challenges it presents. Complete surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment, with generally favorable outcomes. Conclusion: Early identification and prompt surgical management of skull GCTs are critical to prevent neurological complications and recurrence. Long-term surveillance is essential, particularly in pediatric patients.