Background: The precise diagnosis of dermoid cysts, which are usually located deeper than other common cysts, is important because dermoid cysts occasionally recur after incomplete excision. Ultrasonography (US) could give useful preoperative information of dermoid cysts but only a few studies have been conducted on US findings related to dermoid cysts. This study aimed to investigate clinical and US findings on pediatric dermoid cysts.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records, clinical photographs, and US findings of 31 pediatric patients (≤18 years of age) with histopathologically diagnosed dermoid cysts who visited the Pusan National University Hospital between 2007 and 2016.
Results: Of the 31 patients, 25 underwent ultrasonography. The mean long diameter, short diameter, and depth of the cysts were 12.7, 9.0, and 3.8 mm, respectively. Sixteen cysts (64%) were ovoid, 23 (92%) showed hypoechogenicity, 20 (80%) showed heterogeneity, 19 (76%) showed well-demarcated outer margins, and all cysts showed positive posterior acoustic enhancement. All cysts extended to the subcutaneous tissue, and 15 (60%) showed a connection with the underlying muscle.
Conclusions: Ultrasonography may be a useful diagnostic method to visualize the extent and location of the dermoid cyst and make an accurate diagnosis prior to surgical intervention.
Keywords: dermoid cyst; ultrasonography.
© 2020 Japan Pediatric Society.