Dermoid Cyst
Bruce M. Wenig, MD
Key Facts
Terminology
Benign, developmental cystic anomaly originating from ectoderm and mesoderm, but not endoderm
Clinical Issues
May occur over wide age range but most common in 1st decade of life
Predominantly subcutaneous lesion in head and neck but may occur in other (mucosal) sites
Cured following surgical resection
Microscopic Pathology
Lined by stratified squamous epithelium with cutaneous adnexal structures in fibroconnective tissue wall
Cyst content may include keratin or sebaceous material
May rupture, resulting in florid foreign body giant cell reaction
 The cyst is lined by stratified squamous epithelium with cutaneous adnexal structures in the fibroconnective tissue wall, including hair follicles  , sebaceous glands  , and eccrine glands  . |
 Higher magnification of the cyst wall showing the adnexal structures, including sebaceous glands  and eccrine glands  . |
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Benign, developmental cystic anomaly originating from ectoderm and mesoderm, but not endoderm
CLINICAL ISSUES
Epidemiology
Incidence
Head & neck
Common site of cyst occurrence
Accounts for approximately 34% of all dermoid cysts
Age
Most common in 1st decade of life
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