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Dermoid Cyst
Authors

Shahjahan Shareef1; Leila Ettefagh2.

Affiliations
1 Western University
2 Western University

Last Update: August 29, 2022.

Continuing Education Activity

A dermoid cyst is a benign cutaneous developmental anomaly that arises from the entrapment of
ectodermal elements along the lines of embryonic closure. This activity reviews the evaluation and
management of dermoid cysts and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in evaluating
and treating patients with this condition.

Objectives:

Describe the presentation of dermoid cysts.

Summarize the treatment of dermoid cysts.

Outline the differential diagnosis of dermoid cysts.

Review the workup of dermoid cysts and describes the role of health professionals working
together to manage this condition.

Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Introduction

A dermoid cyst is a benign cutaneous developmental anomaly that arises from the entrapment of
ectodermal elements along the lines of embryonic closure.[1][2] These benign tumors are lined by
stratified squamous epithelium with mature skin appendages found on their wall and their lumens
filled with keratin and hair.[3] Dermoid cysts are considered to be congenital, but not all of them
are diagnosed at birth.[3][4][5] Only about 40% of dermoid cysts are diagnosed at birth, while
about 60% of the dermoid cysts are diagnosed by five years of age.[3] The dermoid cysts usually
present within the first year of life and grow slowly.[1] Dermoid cysts occur most commonly on the
head and neck, with 84% of these cysts occurring in this region.[4]

Etiology

The etiology of dermoid cysts remains mostly unknown. The cause of this congenital
developmental anomaly has yet to be determined.[3][4] Dermoid cysts are true hamartomas. These
occur when skin and skin structures become trapped during fetal development. Prior et al. did not
find any correlation between the localization of the dermoid cyst and sex, histology, or age of the
patient.[4]

Epidemiology
Dermoid cysts are among the most common pediatric skull tumors.[4][3] Dermoid cysts account for
about 15.4%-58.5% of all scalp and skull masses in pediatric patients.[4] Dermoid cysts
are usually congenital, with about 70% of cases discovered in children five years old or younger.[3]
[6] Cases of dermoid cysts discovered in adulthood have also been reported.[3][4] Pollard et
al. found a slight predominance of dermoid cysts in girls.[5] However, this significant
predominance has not been seen in other case series.[3] No racial predilection is apparent;
however, most cases are described in Whites.

Pathophysiology

Dermoid cysts result from an abnormal alteration in fetal development.[2][4] They occur due to the
abnormal sequestration and inclusion of the surface ectoderm along the lines of skin fusion during
embryologic development.[4][2][7] Due to this abnormality, a dermoid cyst can usually be found
along cranial sutures or the anterior fontanelle.[4][2]

Histopathology

Dermoid cyst on histology shows a well-defined wall lined by stratified squamous epithelium and a
lumen that may be filled with mature adnexal structures of mesodermal origin, such as hair
follicles and shafts, sebaceous and eccrine glands.[2][4][8]

History and Physical

In the majority of cases, dermoid cysts occur in the head and neck region, although they may be
found anywhere on the body.[4][3] In the head and neck region, dermoid cysts can most commonly
be seen in the frontal, occipital, and supraorbital areas, with the outer third of the eyebrow being
the most frequently affected region.[2][4] An eyelid dermoid cyst attached to a tarsus may present
as a firmly adherent non-tender upper eyelid nodule.[9]

A lower lid dermoid cyst may be evident as a painless, gradually enlarging swelling of the lower lid.
[10] Dermoid cysts in the medial canthal area may present as masses adherent to lacrimal
canaliculi.[11]

Dermoid cysts usually occur as solitary lesions; however, multiple concurrent dermoid cysts have
also been reported.[2] Dermoid cysts typically present as a pale, flesh-colored, pearly, dome-shaped,
firm, deep-seated, subcutaneous nodule.[1][2][3][12] They are usually asymptomatic, non-pulsatile,
and non-compressible.[1][2]

Hair protruding from a dermoid cyst punctum is pathognomic for dermoid cysts.[13] Of note,
midline dermoid cyst may present as a pit that secreted sebaceous material that can become
intermittently inflamed and infected.[3][13]

Evaluation

Dermoid cysts have the potential to grow over time and extend intracranially or intraspinally.[1]
[3] Due to this potential, one should consider radiological studies before biopsy or manipulation,
especially of a lesion that is midline or on the scalp.[3][1] Aspiration or biopsies of dermoid cysts
have the potential to cause infection, further leading to osteomyelitis, meningitis, or cerebral
abscess.[3][4][14] Other possible complications include bony erosions, eyelid displacement, and
intracranial extension.[3][15]
Midline dermoid cysts have the highest association with cranial or spinal dysraphism or have an
intracranial extension.[3] Nasal dermoid cysts are the most frequent midline congenital nasal
malformations.[3] Studies have shown that there is a 10-45% incidence of intracranial extension in
patients with a nasal dermoid cyst.[1] When undergoing neuroimaging, MRI is the preferred means
of revealing evidence of intracranial or intraspinal extension.[1][3] Studies showed a higher
association between a dermoid cyst located in the frontal and pterional regions and bony erosion.
[4][16] If bony erosion is suspected, CT imaging is better at delineating these bony changes.[3][4] In
some instances, high-resolution ultrasonography may help reveal a deep component.[3]

Dermoid cysts under an ultrasound will show a well-defined homogenous and hypoechoic cystic
lesion.[2] Fistulography was done preoperatively in some cases to rule out the involvement of a
deep tract in a dermoid cyst.[3] Dacryocystography was also performed in some atypical dermoid
cysts cases.[3] Furthermore, consultation with a neurosurgeon is highly recommended for dermoid
cyst complicated by intracranial or intraspinal extension.[1][3]

Treatment / Management

Dermoid cysts usually tend to grow slowly, further having the potential to cause bony deformities,
intracranial extension, or intraspinal extension.[1][4] The presence of intracranial extension or
intraspinal extension can further lead to meningitis or develop into an abscess.[1][3] A small,
asymptomatic dermoid cyst may not necessitate immediate excision as it can be stable for years or
even regress.[3][17] However, because most dermoid cysts grow over time, complete surgical
excision without disruption of the cyst wall by an experienced surgeon is recommended before the
development of such complications.[3][4]

Early resection may also avoid extensive surgery and a shorter skin incision, further resulting in an
improved cosmetic outcome.[3][4] An additional advantage of surgical excision is the possibility of
obtaining a histologic diagnosis due to the rare possibility of a malignant tumor presenting as a
solitary lump in the head and neck region of a child like a dermoid cyst.[4] The most dermoid cysts
can be removed using a direct approach with careful dissection at the site where the cyst adheres
to the bone.[3] If the cyst wall ruptures at the time of surgical removal, then remnant tissue should
be removed using curettage and copious irrigation.[3]

If the cyst wall has adhered to vital structures, a partial excision may be performed.[3] Recurrences
of dermoid cyst have been seen in cases of incomplete excision.[3] Another benefit of early removal
of dermoid cysts is a higher chance of obtaining a complete excision without disruption of the cyst
wall, a factor associated with a reduced risk of recurrence.[3][4] For small dermoid cysts,
endoscopic surgery is a novel approach for removal.[3] In cases of a dermoid cyst with intracranial
extension, a craniotomy may still be required.[3]

Differential Diagnosis

Dermoid cysts are rare, but all nodular cystlike lesions are included in the differential diagnoses of
a patient presenting with a subcutaneous nodule, especially in the head and neck or midline
region.[1][2][3] Following are the differentials of a dermoid cyst:

Epidermoid cyst

Glioma

Encephalocele
 Juvenile xanthogranuloma

Lipoma

Pilar cysts

Meningioma

Neurofibroma

Teratoma

Rhabdomyosarcoma

Olfactory neuroblastoma

Lymphoma

Subcutaneous abscess

Facial trauma

Trichilemmal cyst

Pilomatrixoma

Lymphatic malformation

Thyroglossal duct cyst

Prognosis

The overall prognosis for patients with a dermoid cyst is good, especially when there is no
intracranial or intraspinal extension.[3] Although histologically benign, dermoid cysts may grow
and erode the skull, further being potentially susceptible to the epidural extension.[4] When there
is intracranial or, intraspinal extension overall prognosis is still good if there is proper, timely
surgical intervention.[3][4] In rare instances, when dermoid cysts become symptomatic due to local
mass, effect, rupture, infection, or even in rare cases, cause brain compression prognosis can be
poor.[3][4]

Complications

There are no complications for dermoid cysts that don't have an intracranial or intraspinal
extension.[3][4] Dermoid cysts that have intracranial or intraspinal extension may lead to
meningitis, abscess, or cause local mass effect.[3][1][4] Aspiration and biopsies of dermoid cysts
have the potential to cause infection, further leading to osteomyelitis, meningitis, or cerebral
abscess.[1][3]

Other possible complications include bony erosions, eyelid displacement, and intracranial
extension.[3] Malignant transformation is a rare complication that may occur in patients with long-
standing dermoid cysts. Carcinomatous transformation to squamous cell carcinoma is described in
sublingual, ovarian, and intra-abdominal dermoid cysts.

Deterrence and Patient Education

A dermoid cyst is a benign cutaneous developmental anomaly that usually presents in the head and
neck regions in pediatric patients.[1] Due to its tendency for growth and possible complications,
early surgical intervention is recommended.[3]

Enhancing Healthcare Team Outcomes

An interprofessional team that provides a holistic and integrated approach to diagnosing and
treating dermoid cysts can help achieve the best possible outcomes. Health care staff of primary
care and emergency departments play a vital role in diagnosing and referring patients with head
and neck subcutaneous nodules to dermatology or head and neck surgery. This will aid in better
patient satisfaction, quality of life, proper care, and decrease the chance of complications.

Collaboration shared decision making and communication are crucial elements for a good
outcome. The interprofessional care provided to the patient must use an integrated care pathway
combined with an evidence-based approach to planning and evaluation of all joint activities. The
earlier signs and symptoms of dermoid cysts are identified; the better is the patient outcome,
satisfaction, and prognosis.

Review Questions

Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Comment on this article.

References

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nasal dermoid. Pediatr Dermatol. 2006 Nov-Dec;23(6):556-9. [PubMed: 17155997]
2. Nakajima K, Korekawa A, Nakano H, Sawamura D. Subcutaneous dermoid cysts on the eyebrow
and neck. Pediatr Dermatol. 2019 Nov;36(6):999-1001. [PubMed: 31414508]
3. Orozco-Covarrubias L, Lara-Carpio R, Saez-De-Ocariz M, Duran-McKinster C, Palacios-Lopez C,
Ruiz-Maldonado R. Dermoid cysts: a report of 75 pediatric patients. Pediatr Dermatol. 2013 Nov-
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[PubMed: 19300165]
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Disclosure: Shahjahan Shareef declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.

Disclosure: Leila Ettefagh declares no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Figures

Dermoid cyst. Contributed by Sunil Munakomi, MD

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