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| CASE REPORT |
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| Year : 2012 | Volume
: 18
| Issue : 1 | Page : 34-37 |
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Epidermoid cyst of the outer ear: A case report and review of literature
Alka M Dive, Shughangi Khandekar, Rohit Moharil, Shrutal Deshmukh
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Vidya Shikshan Prasarak Mandal's Dental College and Research Centre, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
| Date of Web Publication | 10-Jul-2012 |
Correspondence Address:
Shrutal Deshmukh
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, VSPMDCRC, Nagpur, Maharashtra
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0971-7749.98297
The purpose of this article is to present a rare case of epidermoid cyst of the outer ear in a 38-year-old male patient. During clinical examination, a soft, cystic, globular, and non-tender swelling with restricted motility and well-defined margins was seen in the retroauricular region. Skin over the swelling was normal and not attached to it. The chosen treatment was total surgical removal. The histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of epidermoid cyst, characterized by presence of cyst cavity lined by stratified squamous epithelium with orthokeratin production. The lumen was filled with keratin. The connective tissue capsule consisted of fibrocellular stroma with numerous endothelial lined blood capillaries, which were engorged with red blood cells. The proposed treatment was considered successful, as there was no recurrence. Keywords: Developmental cyst, Epidermoid cyst, Retroauricular
How to cite this article:
Dive AM, Khandekar S, Moharil R, Deshmukh S. Epidermoid cyst of the outer ear: A case report and review of literature. Indian J Otol 2012;18:34-7 |
How to cite this URL:
Dive AM, Khandekar S, Moharil R, Deshmukh S. Epidermoid cyst of the outer ear: A case report and review of literature. Indian J Otol [serial online] 2012 [cited 2023 Mar 21];18:34-7. Available from: https://www.indianjotol.org/text.asp?2012/18/1/34/98297 |
| Introduction | |  |
Cyst is defined as "a pathological cavity having fluid, semifluid, or gaseous contents and which is not created by the accumulation of pus." Kramer (1974).
Epidermoid cyst is a developmental cyst of head and neck. [1] It is also called as epidermal cyst, epithelial cyst, keratin cyst, sebaceous cyst, milia, or epidermal inclusion cyst. [2] Epidermal inclusion cysts are the result of implantation of epidermal elements and its subsequent cystic transformation. The term epidermoid cyst is used in general context in that, irrespective of source of the epithelium, the term persists. Milia merely represent miniature epidermoid cysts. [2] The term sebaceous cyst sometimes is used mistakenly as a synonym for both the epidermoid cyst and another cyst of the scalp known as a pilar, tricholemmal, or isthmus - catagen cyst. However, because both the epidermoid cyst and pilar cyst are derived from the hair follicle rather than the sebaceous gland, the term sebaceous cyst should be avoided. [2],[3]
Epidermoid cysts account for approximately 80% of follicular cysts of the skin and are most common in acne-prone areas of the head, neck, and back. [3] Clinically, the most common site of occurrence for oral lesions is floor of the mouth and may also occur on the tongue, lips, or the interior of the bone. [1],[2],[4],[5] The most common site for head and neck lesions is the lateral aspect of the eyebrows. [1]
Report of cases in the postauricular regions are very uncommon. [6],[7],[8] Epidermoid cyst can occur at any time in life, but they are most common in 3 rd and 4 th decade of life, unless they are associated with Gardner's syndrome. It has got a slight male predilection. [1],[2],[3]
Clinically, epidermoid cysts are present as nodular, fluctuant subcutaneous lesions that may or may not be associated with inflammation. [3] They are slow to progress and remain asymptomatic until or unless secondarily infected. The occurrence of secondary malignancies of types basal cell carcinoma, Bowen disease, squamous cell carcinoma, and even mycosis fungoides, have been reported albeit rarely. [2]
Histologically, cystic lining is comprised of stratified squamous epithelium resembling epidermis. [1],[2],[3] Occasional cases may have areas of pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. [1] A well-developed granular cell layer is seen, and the lumen is filled with degenerating orthokeratin. [3] Dystrophic calcification and reactive foreign body reaction are seen associated with the cystic capsule. Malignant transformation of the cystic lining is noticed not infrequently. Pigmented epidermoid cysts may demonstrate melanin pigment in the wall and a keratin mass. A surrounding infiltrate of melanocytes and macrophages may also be observed. [2]
Treatment of epidermoid cyst includes conservative surgical excision, and recurrence is rare. [1],[2],[3],[4]
In this article, we present a case of epidermoid cyst of the retroauricular region and focus on the review of clinico-pathologic features and biologic behavior.
| Case Report | | |
A 38-year-old male patient presented with a prominent swelling behind the right ear since the age of 10 years [Figure 1]. Swelling was initially of peanut size and increased gradually to present size of approximately 3 cm × 3 cm. The swelling was soft, cystic, globular, and non-tender with restricted motility. Margins were well defined. Skin over the swelling was normal and not attached to it. There was no discharging sinus or pointing abscess. Bruit or any pulsations were absent. There was no history trauma, fever, loss of appetite, discharging ear, difficulty in hearing, etc. The patient had no other complaints or other constitutional symptoms. There was no history of such lesions in his family members.
A preliminary diagnosis of epidermoid cyst, dermoid cyst, or sebaceous cyst was proposed. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology was done and revealed the presence of yellowish thick material, which was sent for cytological examination. Cytological examination revealed presence of desquamated epithelial cells and lots of keratin flecks [Figure 2]. | Figure 2: Pap stain showing desquamated epithelial cells and lots of keratin flecks
Click here to view |
The treatment consisted of total surgical removal of the lesion. The cyst was excised under general anesthesia.
The macroscopic biopsy of the lesion consisted of soft round tissue of size 2 cm × 2.5 cm, grayish black in color, and cystic in consistency [Figure 3].
Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of epidermoid cyst by presence of cystic lumen lined by stratified squamous epithelium with orthokeratin production. The lumen was filled with keratin [Figure 4]a and b. The connective tissue capsule consisted of fibrocellular stroma with numerous endothelial lined blood capillaries, which were engorged with RBCs. | Figure 4: a: Photomicrograph showing cystic cavity lined by stratified squamous epithelium with presence of lots of keratin flecks (arrow) supported by connective tissue stroma (H&E)
Figure 4: b: Photomicrograph showing cystic cavity lined by stratified squamous epithelium with presence of lots of keratin flecks (arrow) supported by connective tissue stroma (H&E)
Click here to view |
The patient was followed up during the next 6 months, and no recurrence of the lesion was observed.
| Discussion | | |
Epidermoid cyst is the rare developmental non-odontogenic cyst of head and neck region. [1],[4] Epidermoid cysts of outer ear are rare. [6] There are three cases of retroauricular epidermoid cyst described in literature and five in the Japanese literature. [6],[7],[8]
There is a slight male predilection, and the lesion occurs mostly in middle-aged patients, and our case report of a middle age male patient collaborates with what has been reported in the literature.
The origin of epidermoid cyst is varied. They may form by the sequestration and implantation of epidermal rest during embryonal period, occlusion of the pilosebaceous unit, or iatrogenic or surgical implantation of epithelium into the jaw mesenchyme. Human papilloma virus infection and eccrine duct occlusion may be additional factors in the development of palmoplantar epidermoid cysts. Epidermoid cysts result from the proliferation of epidermal cells within a circumscribed space of the dermis. They have been shown to not be of sebaceous origin based on the analysis of their lipid pattern, which demonstrates similarities to the epidermis. In addition, epidermoid cysts express cytokeratin 1 and 10, which are constituents of the suprabasal layers of the epidermis. The source of epidermis is often the infundibulum of the hair follicle. Inflammation is in part mediated by the horny material contained in epidermoid cysts. Extracts of this material have been shown to be chemotactic for polymorphonucleocytes.
Histologically, the present case consisted of features of epidermoid cyst like presence of cystic lumen lined by stratified squamous epithelium with orthokeratin production. The lumen was filled with keratin. The connective tissue capsule consisted of fibrocellular stroma with numerous endothelial lined blood capillaries, which were engorged with RBCs. [1],[2]
Epidermoid present in the retroauricular region should be differentiated from lipoma and hemangioma. [6] Lipomas are benign tumor composed of fatty tissue and can present the same aspect of the epidermoid cysts. [6],[9] Hemangiomas are often present at birth; they are benign tumors of the vascular endothelia, which can develop in spontaneous manner. [6],[10]
Certain hereditary syndromes have epidermoid cysts as a part of their feature; examples include Gardner syndrome, basal cell nevus syndrome, and panchyonchia congenital. [2]
Treatment of choice is surgical removal and recurrence is seldom noticed. [1],[2],[3],[4],[6]
An unusual complication reported from an oral epidermoid cyst in oral cavity was sialadenitis due to pressure on the submandibular salivary duct. [2]
The present case underwent surgical removal of the lesion, and its success was confirmed by lack of postsurgical alterations and no recurrence of the lesion.
| References | | |
| 1. | Shear M. Developmental cyst of head and neck region. Cyst of oral and maxillofacial region Shear. 4 th ed. Oxford: Blackwell Publication; 2007. p. 181-3. 
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| 2. | Rajendran R. Developmental disturbances of oral and para oral Structures. Shafer's textbook of oral pathology. 6 th ed. Elsevier publication a division of Reed Elsevier India private limited Noida(UP); 2009 p. 67-9.
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| 3. | Neville. Developmental defects of the oral and maxillofacial region Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, Neville BW oral and maxillofacial pathology 3 rd ed. Sunders Publication; Noida (UP) 2009. p. 32-3.
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| 4. | Corrêa MS, Fonoff Rde N, Ruschel HC, Parizotto SP, Corrêa FN. Lingual epidermoid cyst: case report in an infant. Pediatr Dent 2003;25:591-3.
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| 5. | Walstad WR, Solomon JM, Schow SR, Ochs MW. Midline cystic lesion of the floor of the mouth. J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1998;56:70-4.
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| 6. | Lazaridis E, Tepedino M. Epidermoid Cyst of the Outer Ear and Hearing Loss: Case Report. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2007;11:494-7.
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| 7. | Samper A, Ruiz de Erenchun R, Yeste L, Bazan A. Dermoid cyst on the auriculotemporal area. Plast Reconstr Surg 2000;106:947-8.
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| 8. | Bauer DJ, Diwan R, Honig BK, Yokel B. Large asymptomatic mass on the ear: Dermoid cyst of the auricle. Arch Dermathol 1994;130:913-4, 916-7.
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| 9. | Chidzonga MM, Mahomva L, Marimo C. Gigantic tongue lipoma: a case report. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2006;11:E437-9.
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| 10. | Gómez Oliveira G, García-Rozado A, Luaces Rey R. Intraosseous mandibular hemangioma. A case report and review of the literature. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal 2008;13:E496-8.
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4]
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