Orbital dermoid cyst

Last revised by Rohit Sharma on 1 Mar 2024

Orbital dermoid cysts are congenital lesions representing closed sacs lined by an ectodermal epithelium and comprising the most common orbital mass in children. They are typically divided into deep (within the orbit) and superficial (adjacent to the orbital rim).

They comprise ~2% of orbital tumors 5. Superficial location is much more frequent.

Superficial angular dermoid is usually diagnosed relatively early. As they grow slowly, less than 25% of them are identified at birth, and they usually manifest in the first decade of life. Clinical features include a painless subcutaneous mass along the zygomaticofrontal and the frontoethmoidal sutures 1,3.

It is important to note that more than 80% occur in the upper outer quadrant or the lacrimal fossa (external angular dermoid) 1.

Deep dermoids tend to be diagnosed later in life with accompanying proptosis 6.

Dermoid cysts are thought to occur as a developmental anomaly in which embryonic ectoderm and mesoderm are trapped in the closing neural tube between the 5th-6th weeks of gestation 1,3.

Stratified squamous epithelium lines dermoid cysts, as in epidermoid cysts, which are both considered ectodermal inclusion cysts. Unlike epidermoid cysts, however, they also have adenxal tissues derived from mesoderm, such as hair follicles, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands. The latter is responsible for the secretion of sebum which imparts the characteristic appearance of these lesions on CT and MRI.

These lesions are usually extraconal, non-enhancing masses with smooth margins, cystic and/or solid components. They are typically heterogeneous with soft tissue, fluid and fatty (sebum) components; occasionally calcifications may be present.

They are most commonly located superotemporally, arising from the zygomaticofrontal suture, followed by superonasally, arising from the frontoethmoidal or frontolacrimal sutures.

Ruptured dermoids may show adjacent inflammatory changes.

Treatment and prognosis depend on size, location and involvement of orbital structures. While superficial lesion may barely require a cosmetic excision, a deeper one may require more invasive methods involving micro-dissection, orbitotomy, and rarely, intracranial exploration if the lesion extends to that extent 7.

Possible differential considerations include

See main article

ADVERTISEMENT: Supporters see fewer/no ads