Dermoid, Orbital Follow-up

  • Author: Talmadge (Ted) Cooper, MD; Chief Editor: Hampton Roy Sr, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 3, 2010
 

Further Outpatient Care

  • After surgical excision of an orbital dermoid, infrequent follow-up care is necessary.
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Complications

  • The dermoid cyst may displace the globe, depending on the location of the cyst.
  • Orbital dermoid cysts may cause neurologic complications if they compress the optic nerve or cranial nerves III, IV, or IV.
  • If the cyst ruptures, a marked inflammatory response follows.
  • Operative complications are those common to other orbitotomy procedures.
    • Damage to the eye or adnexal structures, motility restriction, infection, inflammation, and hemorrhage may occur.
    • Partial excision of the dermoid cyst may result in persistent inflammation, a draining sinus, or recurrence.
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Prognosis

  • Dermoid cysts generally have a benign prognosis.
    • If they are excised completely, usually only a minimal scar occurs.
    • If they are observed rather than excised, slow growth can be expected.
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Patient Education

  • Patients should understand that these tumors are benign.
  • Tell patients that surgery generally is successful, but that serious complications can be associated with any orbitotomy (eg, ptosis, diplopia, blindness, death).
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Talmadge (Ted) Cooper, MD  Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford Medical School

Talmadge (Ted) Cooper, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology and American College of Medical Informatics

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Jorge G Camara, MD  Professor of Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery and Director of Fellowship Training Program in Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery for Countries Served by the Aloha Medical Mission, University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine

Jorge G Camara, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD  Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology, Jules Stein Eye Institute; Chief of Section of Ophthalmology Surgical Services, Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Center, West Los Angeles

Simon K Law, MD, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Glaucoma Society, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mark T Duffy, MD, PhD  Consulting Staff, Division of Oculoplastic, Orbito-facial, Lacrimal and Reconstructive Surgery, Green Bay Eye Clinic, BayCare Clinic; Medical Director, Advanced Cosmetic Solutions, A BayCare Clinic

Mark T Duffy, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sigma Xi, and Society for Neuroscience

Disclosure: Allergan - Botox Cosmetic Consulting fee Consulting

Lance L Brown, OD, MD  Ophthalmologist, Affiliated With Freeman Hospital and St John's Hospital, Regional Eye Center, Joplin, Missouri

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Hampton Roy Sr, MD  Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Hampton Roy Sr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American College of Surgeons, and Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Temporal-zygomatic suture line on the lateral orbital wall. The location of the periosteal attachment of most orbital dermoids.
 
 
 
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