Dermoid Cysts

A dermoid cyst is a pocket or cavity under the skin that contains tissues normally present in the outer layers of the skin. They usually occur on the face, inside the skull, on the lower back, and in the ovaries.  Superficial dermoid cysts on the face usually can be removed without complications. It can contain all the elements of the dermis, including skin, hair follicles and sweat glands, and the cyst often contains sebum . In up to 25 percent of women, they are bilateral (present in both ovaries). Recurrence is rare but may certainly occur. These cysts can cause the ovary to twist (torsion) and imperil its blood supply. The larger the dermoid cyst, the greater the risk of rupture with spillage of the greasy contents which can create problems with adhesions, pain etc. In the case of this tumor, the cells in the ovary ignore all the rules and use whatever part of the DNA they want. As a result they differentiate into many different types of tissues, that are normally found throughout the body. The surgeon may use either laparoscopy (surgery using miniature tools through tiny incisions) or an open approach, depending on the size and location of the dermoid as well as the surgeon's skill. sinus tract, which is a narrow connection from a deep pit in  the skin, usually connects these very rare cysts to the skin surface. This type of dermoid cyst can become infected. Removal is often incomplete, but the outcome is usually excellent.

The term dermoid cyst can be found in the vocabulary of dermatologists, dermatopathologists, general pathologists, gynecologists, neurosurgeons, or pediatricians. These are also very rare. Only a handful of cases involving dermoid cysts located here are reported each year. The term dermoid cyst does not appear to be restricted to a single kind of lesion nor is it used in only a single medical discipline. Removal of these cysts is extremely complicated. However, they may twist on themselves and cause severe pain, and occasionally they rupture, producing peritonitis, or irritation of the abdominal and pelvic cavity. The tumor is covered by a thick dermislike wall that contains multiple sebaceous glands and almost all skin adnexa. The calcification will be apparent on x-ray . On gynecologic ultrasonography the sebum appears bright. Other cell types may be present as derivatives of the germ layers ; ectoderm, mesoderm, or endoderm.

Causes of Dermoid Cysts

The common Causes of Dermoid Cysts :

• Dermoid cysts are true hamartomas.
• Histogenetically, dermoid cysts are a result of the sequestration of skin along the lines of embryonic closure.
• Dermoid cysts occur when skin and skin structures become trapped during fetal development.

Symptoms of Dermoid Cysts

Some are common Symptoms of Dermoid Cysts :

• Weight gain.
• Painful menstrual periods and abnormal bleeding.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Chest pain.
• Limited exercise tolerance.
• Fatigue.
• Fullness or heaviness in abdomen.
• Pressure on bladder - difficulty emptying your bladder completely.

Treatment of Dermoid Cysts

• Surgically remove dermoid cysts.
• Dermoid cysts in other parts of the body such as intracranial cysts, intraspinal cysts, intra-abdominal cysts and cystic tumours of the ovary may be difficult to treat and require special surgical techniques to remove the lesion and prevent possible complications.
• The patient waits and gets re-examined in one to three months to see if the cyst has changed in size. This is a common treatment option for women who are in their childbearing years, have no symptoms, and have a fluid-filled cyst. It also might be an option for postmenopausal women.
• Intracranial, intramedullary, and ovarian dermoid cysts are difficult to treat, and sophisticated neurosurgical or gynecologic surgical techniques are often needed to remove the lesion and prevent possible complications.

Women's Health

Adenomyosis
Ahumada-Del Castillo Syndrome
Anovulatory cycles
Asherman's syndrome
Atrophic vaginitis
Bacterial vaginosis
Baker's Cyst
Bartholion gland cyst
Candida infection
Cervical Ectropion
Cervical Erosion
Cervical mucous
Cervical polyp
Cystocele
Cystocoele
Dermoid Cysts
Dry vagina
Endometriosis
Enterocoele
Fibroids
Ganglion cysts
Gonorrhoea
Hydrometrocolpos
Hysteria
Lactose intolerance
Laryngitis
Legionnaire's disease
Leprosy
Leptospirosis
Leucorrhoea
Leukaemia
Lice infestation
Lichen planus
Lipoma
Liver cirrhosis
Mittelschmerz
Nabothian gland cyst
Oestogen dominance
Ovarian cysts
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pilonidal cyst
Polycystic ovary syndrome
Popliteal cysts
Rectocoele
Sebaceous cysts
Trichomonas infection
Urethral caruncle
Urethrocoele
Vaginal atrophy
Vaginitis
Vulvodynia
Wernicke korsakoff synodrome