Publication:

Presentation of a case of a dermoid cyst with a rare location

Dermoid cysts are choristoma that accumulate normal embryonic tissue in abnormal locations, making up 3% to 5% of congenital orbit conditions. They are found in various parts of the body, including the head and neck, frontal, periorbital, scalp, cervical, and nasoethmoidal regions. Nasoethmoidal dermoid cysts can compromise deep structures and may extend intracranially, with a frequency of 1% to 45%. They are usually diagnosed in the first 3 years of life, but some may go undetected until adulthood. Two theories explain the origin of nasal dermoids: the cranial origin theory and the superficial inclusion theory. Nasal dermoids can be pale, flesh-colored, pearly, or erythematous and may be accompanied by congenital anomalies. Different diagnoses include epidermal cysts, gliomas, meningoencephaloceles, tumors of vascular origin, fibromas, neurofibromas, osteomas, and lipomas. Imaging evaluations are necessary for diagnosis, determining the degree of involvement of neighboring structures, rule out associated malformations, and establish potential intracranial extension. The only curative treatment for nasoethmoidal dermoid cysts is surgical removal, as untreated lesions can cause nasal deformities, recurrent infections, and intracranial extension.