Melanie was shocked to hear her newborn son’s doctor state that the baby had a dermoid cyst. She composed herself, looked up at him and then asked, “Are you sure? My mother just had surgery for one. I thought that was a kind of ovarian cyst.”
Dermoid cysts are perhaps most often associated with problems related to a woman’s ovaries. However, there are actually several types of these cysts.
Overview
Dermoid cysts are saclike growths already present at birth, according to WebMD. The odd thing about them is that they contain body structures like hair, fluid, teeth or skin glands. They tend to grow slowly. They aren’t tender unless they rupture. While some can be easily removed, others require special techniques and surgeons.
Seattle Children’s Hospital reports that most of the time, the only symptom of a dermoid cyst is a small and painless lump that one can see or feel under the skin. It might be the same color as the skin or look pale yellow.
When it appears that a cyst might be connected to other tissues, doctors typically order an X-ray, CT scan or MRI in addition to a visual exam to make a diagnosis.
This type of cyst forms during pregnancy. It occurs when skin cells or other structures related to the skin become trapped in a pocket while the baby continues to grow. Since it enlarges slowly, an individual might not notice one under early adulthood. For some people, the thought of a cyst with an item like a tooth in it can be a little unnerving.
WebMD defines four categories of dermoid cysts, all linked to the parts of the body where they occur:
Brain. While this condition does occur in the brain, it’s rare. Once the cyst has been identified, if it causes problems, a personal physician or pediatrician might refer the patient to a neurosurgeon to remove it.
Nasal sinuses. This location is also rare. Removing a dermoid cyst from the nasal sinuses is a very complicated procedure. Surgeons report only a few cases each year.
Ovaries. These cysts develop in women during their reproductive years and are linked to a multitude of problems. They can cause torsion, infection, rupture and even cancer. Some women have fertility issues related to them. Surgeons remove this type of dermatoid cyst using either conventional surgery or laparoscopy.
Spinal cord. Fortunately, this type is quite rare. A sinus tract connects the cyst to the skin’s surface. One of the biggest problems is the risk of infection. Although surgeons sometimes find they can’t completely remove the cyst, most patients have a good outcome.
When to see a doctor
Patients should never attempt to remove these cysts at home due to the possibility of infection, bleeding and other complications.
It’s important for a doctor to examine any patient whose cyst becomes painful and inflamed or grows or changes color. They should also see an individual who feels strongly that a dermoid cyst should be removed for cosmetic reasons. While removal is not normally an emergency procedure, if the cyst ruptures, becomes inflamed or causes either pain or fever, this is the time to get immediate medical advice.
