Epidermal inclusion cyst - knee

Case contributed by Maulik S Patel
Diagnosis almost certain

Presentation

Presented with a complaint of right knee anterior swelling for about the last 2 years. There is no history of trauma or pain. Skin changes are present locally.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Male
ultrasound

There is a well-defined ovoid lesion in the anterior side of the right knee; measuring about 55 X 50 X 30 mm. It is located in the subcutaneous plane and abutts the deeper surface of the skin. It is separate from bone/ muscle/ joint. The lesion is encapsulated and heterogeneous with tiny hypoechoic clefts, echogenic clefts. There is no calcification/ cystic spaces/ vascularity. It is partly compressible. There is no suprapatellar effusion in the knee joint.

Photo

There is anterior knee swelling just cranial to the patella. It is associated with redish discoloration of the overlying skin.

Case Discussion

Ultrasound findings favor an epidermal inclusion cyst of the anterior knee region. The surgical excision of the lesion was done. Histopathology confirmed the lesion being an epidermal inclusion cyst. 

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