Dermoid cyst physical examination

Physical examination findings in patients with dermoid cyst may include a painless swelling that may be freely mobile or fixed to the skin and deeper structures. Congenital dermoid cysts localized to the scalp, neck or trunk are usually visible at birth. A tuft of hairs emanating from a midline nasal depression or nodule may represent a nasal dermoid cyst. A tarsal dermoid cyst may present as a firm, non tender nodule in the eyelid. Periorbital demoid cysts usually appear on the lateral aspect of the eyebrow. Dermoid cysts of the scalp or orbit may cause pressure erosion of the underlying bone which appears as a punched out defect in the skull x rays. A double-chin appearance is a common finding if the cyst develops below the mylohyoid muscle.^{[1][2][2][3][4][5]}

• Physical examination findings in patients with dermoid cyst may include:^{[1][2][2][3][4][5]}
  • Painless swelling that may be freely mobile or fixed to the skin and deeper structures.
  • A tuft of hairs emanating from a midline nasal depression or nodule may represent a nasal dermoid cyst.
  • A tarsal dermoid cyst may present as a firm, non tender nodule in the eyelid.
  • Periorbital demoid cysts usually appear on the lateral aspect of the eyebrow.
    • When the dermoid cyst appears on the medial aspect, the differential diagnosis of an encephalocele becomes higher.
  • Dermoid cysts of the scalp or orbit may cause pressure erosion of the underlying bone which appears as a punched out defect in the skull x rays.
  • A double-chin appearance is a common finding if the cyst develops below the mylohyoid muscle.
  • Congenital dermoid cysts localized to the scalp, neck or trunk are usually visible at birth.

• 
  Periorbital dermoid cyst in left eyebrow. The cyst was present at birth but was not noticeable at the time.^[3]

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