Complications
- Several possible complications of spontaneous or posttraumatic rupture and surgical procedures have been described.
- In patients with a ruptured spinal dermoid cyst, fatty droplets can disseminate in the cerebrospinal fluid or in a dilated central canal of the spinal cord.
- In other patients, subarachnoid and ventricular fat dissemination can occur after the cerebellopontine angle dermoid cyst is resected.
- Spinal subdural abscesses are a possible complication because of the bacterial infection of spinal dermoid cysts in a dermal sinus tract.
- A ruptured intracranial dermoid cyst be an incidental finding on an MRI performed for other purposes or because of a persistent headache.[32]
- Pay special attention to intralingual dermoid cysts because deglutition and speech problems may occur.
- Malignant transformation is an unusual complication that may occur in patients with long-standing dermoid cysts.
- Carcinomatous transformation to a squamous cell carcinoma is described in sublingual and intra-abdominal dermoid cysts, most often dermoid cysts of the ovary
- Metastatic malignant melanomas arising from dermoid cysts have been reported in the literature.
Prognosis
- If dermoid cysts are diagnosed early and treated with complete surgical excision, the prognosis is good, and no further complications are expected.
- In patients with carcinomatous transformation, the prognosis depends on the stage of the malignant disease (locally limited or spreading) and the success of therapy.
Patient Education
- For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's Procedures Center and Women's Health Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient education articles Dermoid Cyst Removal and Ovarian Cysts.
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