What Is a Dermoid Cyst?
Key takeaways:
Dermoid cysts are small sacs that contain pieces of skin tissue. They form before a baby is born.
Most dermoid cysts occur on a baby’s face, near the eyebrow.
Dermoid cysts usually need removal with a short surgery because they can become infected.
Some children are born with dermoid cysts. These are small collections of tissue that look like a small bump.
Dermoid cysts form in many parts of the body, but one of the most common areas is on the face — specifically along a baby’s eyebrow or nose. These bumps may have a bluish color and feel soft and rubbery.
Dermoid cysts themselves aren’t dangerous — they don’t turn into cancer. But they can trigger other medical problems because of how and where they form on the body. To prevent problems like infection, they usually need surgical removal.
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If your baby has a dermoid cyst, here’s everything you should know about causes and treatment options.
What causes a dermoid cyst?
Skin is the body’s largest organ. Before birth, a baby develops skin and related tissue (like teeth and hair). Sometimes small pieces of these tissues don’t develop as they should.
The body traps these tissues together in a small sac — called a “cyst.” A dermoid cyst is a small sac of skin and tissue that got stuck during development.
Dermoid cysts contain small pieces of tissue like:
Skin
Fat
Sweat glands
Hair
Teeth
It’s not clear why some babies develop dermoid cysts. And there’s nothing that can prevent a baby from developing a dermoid cyst.
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Where do dermoid cysts develop?
About half of dermoid cysts form near the eye, usually around the eyebrow.
But they can also form on a baby’s:
Nose
Forehead
Scalp
Lower back
Ovary
How early can you detect a dermoid cyst?
Babies are born with dermoid cysts, but sometimes the cysts are so small that you can’t see them right away. Studies show that only 40% of these cysts are noticeable right after birth. As a baby’s face grows, the cysts become more obvious.
A healthcare provider can usually diagnose a dermoid cyst by looking at it. But they may also ask you to take your baby for an ultrasound to make sure the bump is a dermoid cyst.
What are the health risks associated with dermoid cysts?
Dermoid cysts can be harmless. Even without removal, they won’t turn into cancer. They also won’t spread to other parts of the body. Depending on their location and size, they might not bother children. But they can get infected and rupture, which are the most common complications associated with these cysts.
Dermoid cysts can also have more serious health risks like:
Meningitis: Dermoid cysts that are on the middle of the face, especially on the forehead or between the eyebrows, might connect directly to a baby’s brain. This connection shouldn’t be there and puts a baby at risk of developing brain infections, including meningitis.
Spinal cord problems: Dermoid cysts that are on the middle of the back are sometimes associated with other spinal issues like spina bifida. Cysts on the spine can also put pressure on the spinal cord. This pressure can lead to weakness in the legs, trouble walking, and loss of bladder control.
Bone damage: Dermoid cysts can grow. As they get bigger, they can disrupt any bone that’s underneath them. This also increases the risk of infection to the organs directly under the bone.
Ovarian torsion: Dermoid cysts on the ovary can lead to twisting (torsion) of the ovary around its blood vessels, which is a medical emergency.
Amblyopia (lazy eye): A dermoid cyst on the side of the nose or near the eyelid can interrupt a child’s line of sight. This can lead to amblyopia, which is a type of vision impairment that happens in children.
How do you treat a dermoid cyst?
Dermoid cysts usually need to be removed with a short surgical procedure. Removing a cyst is the only way to treat it.
Healthcare providers usually recommend taking a cyst out so that children don’t develop complications like infection or cyst rupture. But if the cyst is in the center of the face, head, or spine, your child’s healthcare provider will recommend a CT or MRI to make sure there’s no connection to the brain or spine first.
The bottom line
Dermoid cysts are small sacs that form before a baby is born. These sacs contain small pieces of skin tissue. Dermoid cysts usually form near a baby’s eyebrow, but they can also form on the face, head, and back. Dermoid cysts can get infected and rupture. They can also be associated with more serious medical conditions. Because of the risk of complications, healthcare providers usually recommend removing the cyst using a short surgical procedure.
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References
Douvoyiannis, M., et al. (2008). Posterior fossa dermoid cyst with sinus tract and meningitis in a toddler. Pediatric Neurology.
Drolet, B. A. (2000). Cutaneous signs of neural tube dysraphism. Pediatric Clinics of North America.
Healthychildren.org. (2015). Eyelid problems. American Academy of Pediatrics.
McMillan, J. A., et al. (2006). Dermoid cysts. Oski’s Pediatrics: Principles and Practice.
The Neurological Institute of New York. (n.d.). Dermoid and epidermoid. Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Pantoja, E., et al. (1975). Complications of dermoid tumors of the ovary. Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Shareef, S., et al. (2021). Dermoid cyst. StatPearls.
Whittle, C., et al. (2017). Sonographic diagnosis of periorbital dermoid cyst. Ultrasound Quarterly.
