Why dermoid cyst

The skin over the lump can easily be moved. The lump may be skin-colored, or may have a slight blue color. The symptoms of a dermoid cyst can seem like other health conditions. Have your child see his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis. He or she will look at the cyst and the nearby area. Your child may need imaging tests to find out if the cyst is connected to other tissue in the head and neck. Tests may include:. This test gives images of the head, neck, face, or other area where the cyst is located.

CT scan. X-ray and a computer are used to make detailed images of any part of the body. Large magnets, radio waves, and a computer make detailed images of organs and structures in the body. New bone healing after dermoid cyst ablation may be seen in months. Patients who have undergone dermoid cyst ablation may shower immediately following treatment.

They are instructed to refrain from submerging the treated site in a bath for 5 days to allow full healing of the small skin opening used for access to the dermoid cyst.

Aside from keeping the treatment site clean, there are no activity restrictions following dermoid cyst ablation. Results observed in our patients since have been excellent. Patients report no significant post-procedure pain, treatment related mild swelling resolves in a couple days, and infections are prevented with antibiotics taken after the procedure.

Dermoid cysts left untreated will continue to enlarge. If injured and the cyst wall is ruptured, the leaking cyst contents irritate the surrounding tissues causing pain, swelling, and possibly scarring. Untreated dermoid cysts may occasionally become infected, requiring treatment with antibiotics or more urgent surgical removal. The specialties of Interventional Radiology and Plastic Surgery expertly care for children with dermoid cysts. Parents are understandably nervous when they learn their child has been diagnosed with a swelling or growth.

Fortunately, many times the growth is not a cancerous life threatening tumor, but is instead a benign collection of abnormal blood vessels or fluid that is swelling and causing pain and. Our interventional radiology team has long been the national leaders of innovation in minimally invasive radiologic procedures for conditions such as Aneurysmal Bone Cysts, Dermoid Cyst Ablation, Lymphatic Malformation and Salivary Gland Ablation.

Skip to Content. Urgent Care. In This Section. Conditions We Treat Dermoid Cyst. What is a Dermoid Cyst? What are the Symptoms of a Dermoid Cyst? How are Dermoid Cysts Treated? If the dermoid cyst is in the bone, surgery includes: Making a skin incision Extending the incision down to access the bone Drilling or scraping the dermoid cyst cells out of the bone In locations like the forehead and skull, surgical incisions can be wide due to the need to access and completely remove the cyst.

Another imaging test your doctor may use to identify this type of cyst is called a pelvic ultrasound. A pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to create images. Your doctor may also use a transvaginal ultrasound.

During this test, your doctor will insert a wand into the vagina. Like with the pelvic ultrasound, images will be created using sound waves emitted from the wand. Regardless of its location, the only treatment option for a dermoid cyst is surgical removal.

There are several key factors to consider before surgery, especially if the cyst is treated in a child. These include:. Follow the directions your doctor gives you before surgery. For periorbital dermoid cyst surgery, a small incision can often be made near an eyebrow or hairline to help hide the scar.

The cyst is carefully removed through the incision. The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes. Ovarian dermoid surgery is more complicated. In some cases, it can be done without removing the ovary. This is called an ovarian cystectomy. Spinal dermoid cysts are removed with microsurgery. This is done using very small instruments. The thin covering of the spine dura is opened to access the cyst.

Nerve function is monitored carefully throughout the operation. Spinal surgeries may require an overnight stay in the hospital to watch for any complications. If a spinal cyst has too strong of an attachment to the spine or the nerves, your doctor will remove as much of the cyst as is safely possible. The remaining cyst will be monitored regularly after that. Recovery after surgery can take at least two or three weeks, depending on the location of the cyst.

Usually, untreated dermoid cysts are harmless. One of the main concerns with a dermoid cyst is that it can rupture and cause an infection of the surrounding tissue. Spinal dermoid cysts that are left untreated may grow large enough to injure the spinal cord or nerves. While ovarian dermoid cysts are usually noncancerous, they can grow quite large. This can affect the position of the ovary in the body.

The cyst can also lead to a twisting of the ovary torsion. Ovarian torsion can affect blood flow to the ovary. This may affect the ability to get pregnant.