Trichilemmal cyst

Last revised by Francis Deng on 7 Nov 2023

Trichilemmal cysts, also known as pilar cysts, are benign accumulations of keratin along the outer hair root sheath, most commonly on the scalp. They are the most common subcutaneous nodule incidentally found on head imaging and are of no clinical relevance when asymptomatic 1. Uncommonly, they can develop into the neoplastic form known as proliferating trichilemmal cysts, which can be locally aggressive.

They are found in 2.5% of adult patients undergoing head imaging 1.

The name trichilemmal relates to its presumed origin from the trichilemma (the outer root sheath) of the hair follicle. This part undergoes a specific form of keratinisation called trichilemmal keratinisation which is diffuse and homogenous, unlike the lamellated keratin of epidermal cysts.

Grossly, these lesions are firm cystic structures that contain white semisolid cheese-like material. They frequently contain areas of dystrophic calcification.

These nodules are small, ovoid, circumscribed subcutaneous masses, without overlying skin ulceration or underlying bone erosion 1. Due to the nature of their content, these lesions are typically avascular on imaging.

Trichilemmal cysts usually have a heterogenous echotexture, mostly hypoechoic. They should not have complete internal echogenic foci and should be avascular 3. There is often posterior acoustic enhancement 3.

Trichilemmal cysts are soft tissue attenuation and may contain speckled calcifications as well as areas of high density due to cholesterol crystals and compact keratin 1.

  • T1: isointense 1 or hyperintense 4 to brain parenchyma

  • T1 C+: no internal contrast enhancement

  • T2: intermediate signal intensity usually with linear or reticular hypointensity related to calcification 4

"Trichilemmal" derives from the Greek θρίξ (thríx), for hair, and "lemma" meaning shell or husk, as the wall of the cyst resembles or derives from the external root sheath of a hair follicle.

"Pilar" derives from the Latin "pilus" for hair.

  • proliferating trichilemmal cyst: consider this entity when the mass is large (>5 cm), recently growing, or shows heterogeneous high signal on T2-weighted images or contrast enhancement 1

  • epidermal inclusion cysts (also known as epidermoid or sebaceous cysts): uncommon on the scalp, more often have high or mixed signal intensities on T1 and T2-weighted images 1

  • pilomatricoma (also known as calcifying epithelioma): usually in children or adolescents

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