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Ovary-nontumor

Non-neoplastic cysts / other

Epidermoid cyst

Reviewer: Mohiedean Ghofrani, M.D. (see Reviewers page)
Revised: 9 August 2011, last major update August 2011
Copyright: (c) 2002-2011, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.

Definition
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● An ovarian cyst lined exclusively by mature squamous epithelium

Terminology
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● Also called epidermal inclusion cyst
● Do not confuse with dermoid cyst, which is a mature cystic teratoma (see differential diagnosis)

Epidemiology
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● Very rare

Etiology
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● Either monodermal teratoma or originating from surface epithelium (given the presence of Walthard nests in the wall of some) or rete ovarii

Clinical features
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● Often an incidental finding (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1976;124:523)

Prognostic factors
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● May be associated with squamous cell carcinoma (Clin Exp Obstet Gynecol 2005;32:265)

Case reports
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● With ovarian endometrioid carcinoma (Zentralbl Gynakol 2002;124:443)

Gross description
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● Cyst with creamy contents

Micro description
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● Smooth inner lining of stratified squamous epithelium with no evidence of hair or a Rokitansky tubercle (Int J Gynecol Pathol 1996;15:69)
● Also focally cystic nests within cyst wall containing mucin and keratin debris (Am J Clin Pathol 1980;73:272)

Differential Diagnosis
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● Mature cystic teratoma: also has skin adnexa or other tissues

End of Ovary-nontumor > Non-neoplastic cysts / other > Epidermoid cyst

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