Mandible & maxilla
Non-odontogenic cysts
Dermoid cyst
Last author update: 1 March 2015
Last staff update: 8 July 2020
Copyright: 2004-2019, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: Dermoid cyst [title] jaw
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Terminology | Epidemiology | Sites | Pathophysiology | Clinical features | Diagnosis | Radiology description | Radiology images | Case reports | Treatment | Clinical images | Gross description | Gross images | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Differential diagnosis | Additional referencesCite this page: Morrison A. Dermoid cyst. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/mandiblemaxilladermoid.html. Accessed March 27th, 2023.
Definition / general
- Cystic structure lined by stratified squamous epithelium
- Cyst lining contains sebaceous glands, hair follicles / shafts, eccrine sweat glands / coils
- Cyst contain keratinaceous, caseous, sebaceous or purulent debris with hair, nails, fat or cholesterol clefts
Terminology
- Dermoid cyst: lined by stratified squamous epithelium with adnexae (hair follicules, sweat glands, sebaceous glands)
- Epidermoid cyst: stratified squamous epithelial lining without adenexae
- Teratoma: can be cystic but must have all three germinal layer represented within cyst wall, namely ectoderm (skin, hair, teeth), mesoderm (skeletal muscle, vasculature, CNS, peripheral nerves), endoderm (thyroid, GI tract components, lung, liver)
Epidemiology
- Dermoid cysts: typically are present from birth
Sites
- In head and neck lesions, traditional dermoids are deeply situated adherent to periosteum; most common site is soft tissue of floor of mouth
- Intraosseous lesions are extremely rare; more common in maxilla than mandible
Pathophysiology
- Traditional dermoid cyst: arises from sequestered ectoderm along fusion lines of embryonic processes
- Intraosseous dermoid cysts of jaw bones have debatable pathophysiology:
- Leading theory is a sequestration of Wikipedia: Stomodeum [Accessed 11 June 2018] ectoderm trapped in deep tissues along fusion lines of embryonic processes and embedded into developing bone during embryogenesis
- Could be dermal metaplasia of an odontogenic cyst (especially when found in association with a tooth) or epithelial remnant; however the squamous epithelium and adnexal structures are typically more organized and well formed than would be expected of metaplastic tissue
- Dermoid cysts with only sebaceous glands: argued to be orthokeratotic variant of keratocytic odontogenic tumor (formerly odontogenic keratocyst) with sebaceous differentiation and not a true dermoid cyst
Clinical features
- Often asymptomatic swelling but may have pain related to swelling
- Deformity due to mass effect can occur with larger lesions
Diagnosis
- Often not correctly diagnosed until histopathological examination is complete
Radiology description
- Radiolucent unilocular lesion
Radiology images
Images hosted on other servers:
Source: Case report below
Axial CT of large mandibular cyst
shows radiolucent lesion with
intact lingual cortical plate
Left sided large mandibular cyst
extends from left molar to
right premolar region
CT scan 3D reconstruction
shows lesion on left body
of mandible
Case reports
- 20 year old man with intraosseous dermoid cyst of mandible (Open Journal of Stomatology 2012;2(2))
Treatment
- Enucleation, possibly curettage
- Marsupialization
Clinical images
Images hosted on other servers:
Intraoperative
Gross description
- Cystic lesion filled with keratinaceous debris and variable hair
- Specimens are often received piecemeal
Gross images
Images hosted on other servers:
Fragmented specimen
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Cyst lining: orthokeratotic stratified squamous epithelium, sebaceous glands, eccrine sweat glands, variable hair follicles (only sebaceous glands is most common)
- Cyst contents: most commonly "onion skin" like flakes of keratin; cholesterol clefts, hair, nails and necrotic keratinaceous debris may also be present
Microscopic (histologic) images
Images hosted on other servers:
4Ã - shows cystic
epithelium with
onion skin keratin
in lumen
Onion skin keratin
Hyper-orthokeratinized epithelium
Differential diagnosis
- Dentigerous cyst: cuboidal, nonkeratinizing lining
- Keratocystic odontogenic tumor: orthokeratotic variant has stratified squamous lining and may have sebaceous differentiation, but no hair, no eccrine sweat ducts / coils
- Radicular cyst: stratified squamous lining with cholesterol clefts, but no sebaceous glands, eccrine glands or hair
