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13 patients were managed surgically for dysontogenetic tumours of vertebral column between 1970 and 1997. 6 males and 7 females aged from 3 to 45 years (average age = 28.46 +/- SD 12.81 years). At the cranio-vertebral junction one tumour was localised. Other tumours were in different segments of vertebral column as follows: 3 cases in thoracic segment, 6--in lumbar and 2--in lumbo-sacral region. X-ray examination revealed coexistence of dysraphic or other spinal defects in 10 cases. Surgery was carried out in all cases using various technique. Histological examination disclosed: epidermoid cyst 6, dermoid cyst 3 and teratoma 4. Good results of treatment were achieved in 11 patients, while in 2 cases neurological deficit symptoms were exacerbated. In patients after teratoma removal post-operative radiotherapy was indicated.

Five cases of epidermoid tumours in the vicinity of the pontocerebellar angle were treated surgically. The mean age of the patients was 31 years. Four were women, one man. Good and very good result was achieved in 80%. The surgical technique and difficulties in cases of epidermoids in this situation are described. The own experience of the authors is compared with the reports of other authors and the need for radical removal of the lesion is stressed since malignant transformation is possible, even long after operation.

Three cases of intracranial epidermoids treated surgically are reported. Typical course, histological appearance, diagnostic value of radiological investigations and surgical procedure are presented. In differential diagnosis dermoids and cholesterol granulomas (cholesteatomas) are widely discussed.

The authors present two cases of dysontogenetic posterior fossa tumours stressing the rarity of this location and size of these tumours and the possibility of coexistence of developmental anomalies not characteristic for such lesions.

The author presents a case of epidermal cyst of the third ventricle in a female aged 19 years with dramatically rapidly increasing clinical symptoms. Surgical removal of the tumour gave full success and complete cure of the patient.