Apocrine Hidrocystoma

Author: Jesse M Olmedo, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD more...

Updated: Jul 22, 2011

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Background
Pathophysiology
Epidemiology
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Background

Apocrine hidrocystomas are benign cystic proliferations of the apocrine secretory glands. Apocrine hidrocystomas most commonly appear as solitary, soft, dome-shaped, translucent papules or nodules and most frequently are located on the eyelids, especially the inner canthus. Apocrine hidrocystomas grow slowly and usually persist indefinitely.

Pathophysiology

The exact stimulus for the development of an apocrine hidrocystoma is unknown. Plausible causes of the closely related eccrine hidrocystoma include occlusion or blockage of the sweat duct apparatus, which results in the retention of sweat and a dilated cystic structure.

Frequency

United States

Apocrine hidrocystomas are relatively common in the United States.

Mortality/Morbidity

Apocrine hidrocystomas are entirely benign and seldom recur after removal. Cysts may annoy patients; however, symptoms usually are mild or absent. Vision usually is not affected.

Race

No predilection for race or geographic region is recognized for apocrine hidrocystomas.

Sex

No sex predilection is described for apocrine hidrocystomas.

Age

Apocrine hidrocystomas occur in adulthood, although in no particular age group.

Proceed to Clinical Presentation

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Jesse M Olmedo, MD Staff Physician, Department of Dermatology, Beatrice Keller Clinic

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Ronald P Rapini, MD Josey Professor and Chair, Department of Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, University of Texas Medical School at Houston and MD Anderson Cancer Center

Ronald P Rapini, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Elsevier publishers Royalty Independent contractor

Specialty Editor Board

Carrie L Kovarik, MD Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Dermatopathology, and Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Carrie L Kovarik, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Rosalie Elenitsas, MD Herman Beerman Associate Professor of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Director, Penn Cutaneous Pathology Services, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania Health System

Rosalie Elenitsas, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society of Dermatopathology

Disclosure: Lippincott Williams Wilkins Royalty Textbook editor; DLA Piper Consulting fee Consulting

Catherine M Quirk, MD Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania

Catherine M Quirk, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgments

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous Chief Editor, William D. James, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

References

Alessi E, Gianotti R, Coggi A. Multiple apocrine hidrocystomas of the eyelids. Br J Dermatol. Oct 1997;137(4):642-5. [Medline].
Combemale P, Kanitakis J, Dupin N, Parraud C, Guigon M. Multiple Moll's gland cysts (apocrine hidrocystomas) of the eyelids. Dermatology. 1997;194(2):195-6. [Medline].
de Eusebio E, Lopez-Bran E, Rojo S, Suarez R, Sanchez Yus E, Robledo A. Multiple hidrocystomas. Dermatology. 1996;193(2):152-3. [Medline].
Ter Poorten HJ. Apocrine hidrocystoma of the right scapula. Arch Dermatol. Dec 1977;113(12):1730. [Medline].
del Pozo J, Garcia-Silva J, Pena-Penabad C, Fonseca E. Multiple apocrine hidrocystomas: treatment with carbon dioxide laser vaporization. J Dermatolog Treat. Jun 2001;12(2):97-100. [Medline].
Dailey RA, Saulny SM, Tower RN. Treatment of multiple apocrine hidrocystomas with trichloroacetic acid. Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. Mar 2005;21(2):148-50. [Medline].
Woolery-Lloyd H, Rajpara V, Nijhawan RI. Treatment for multiple periorbital eccrine hidrocystomas: botulinum toxin A. J Drugs Dermatol. Jan 2009;8(1):71-3. [Medline].
Hashimoto K, Lever WF. Tumors of skin appendages. In: Freedberg IM, Eisen AZ, Wolff K, eds. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. Vol 1. McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing; 1999:899.
Mackie RM. Tumors of skin appendages. In: Champion RH, Wilkinson DS, Ebling FJG, eds. Rook/Wilkinson/Ebling: Textbook of Dermatology. Vol 2. Blackwell Science Inc; 1998:1703-6.

Clinical example of apocrine hidrocystoma.

Histology of apocrine hidrocystoma. Cystic spaces appear empty because sweat is removed during processing. Decapitation secretion often is seen in the lining.

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