eMedicine Specialties > Dermatology > Pediatric Diseases

Dermoid Cyst: Follow-up

Author: Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Coauthor(s): Zbigniew Ruszczak, MD, PhD, Consultant Dermatologist and Allergist, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Consultant in Wound Healing and On-Site-Drug Delivery Systems; Visiting Consultant in Dermatology and Dermatopathology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Jul 17, 2009

Follow-up

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.
  • 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

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • A congenital intracranial frontotemporal dermoid cyst may be first evident as a cutaneous fistula. Intracranial extension and a cutaneous sinus tract are rarely seen with craniofacial dermoid cysts.2 Failure to recognize and promptly treat these dermoid cysts may lead to a progressive skeletal distortion and/or recurrent infection with a potential for meningitis or cerebral abscess. Congenital lesions of the midline should always be approached with caution. Imaging studies are prudent.
  • Importantly, include dermoid cyst in the differential diagnosis of a tarsus-based eyelid nodule, because misdiagnosis may lead to incision and curettage, resulting in spillage of cyst contents and severe inflammation and scarring.4
 


More on Dermoid Cyst

Overview: Dermoid Cyst
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Dermoid Cyst
Treatment & Medication: Dermoid Cyst
Follow-up: Dermoid Cyst
References
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Further Reading

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Zbigniew Ruszczak, MD, PhD, Consultant Dermatologist and Allergist, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Sheikh Khalifa Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE; Consultant in Wound Healing and On-Site-Drug Delivery Systems; Visiting Consultant in Dermatology and Dermatopathology, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School, Newark
Zbigniew Ruszczak, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, New York Academy of Sciences, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Albert C Yan, MD, Section Chief, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Dermatology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and University of Pennsylvania
Albert C Yan, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Academy of Pediatrics, Society for Investigative Dermatology, and Society for Pediatric Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

David F Butler, MD, Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic
David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH, Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School
Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Glen H Crawford, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief, Division of Dermatology, The Pennsylvania Hospital
Glen H Crawford, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society of USAF Flight Surgeons
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD, Director, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center
Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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