Dermoid Cyst on the Temporal Surface of Skull - An Unusual Case Report

Abstract

A dermoid cyst is a subcutaneous mass derived from both ectodermal and mesodermal tissues. Dermoid cysts of the temporal region involving the bone are rare. We present a case of a child with an enlarging, palpable mass in the temporal region of the scalp.Parents of a 4-year-old male child presented with complain of a swelling on the right lateral side of the head, above the ear. Physical examination revealed a subcutaneous, cystic mass on the right lateral side of the head, above the ear in the temporal region, approximately 1.5 cm in diameter. The CT scan revealed a bony depression in the skull near the fronto-temporoparietal-sphenoidal junction. Enucleation of cyst done with hemicoronal approach. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a dermoid cyst. Early removal is recommended not only to establish a definitive diagnosis but also to prevent chronic inflammation, enlargement, invasion, or rupture of the cyst.