Dermoid cyst appears in many forms like sac, hair, teeth or fluids on the skin. The sac like structure is inherited and is seen right from birth of the child. It is largely seen on the face, lower back (spinal cord) and inside the skull. Sometimes it may occur in the ovaries of pregnant women. This cyst can be easily removed if it occurs on the face.
Dermoid Cyst of Ovaries :
These cysts appear either as single or in cluster. It has the ability to grow into mature tissue and many times combination of such tissues exists in the form of tumor, bone, nerve, hair and cartilages. It can occur either in one ovary or in both. The size of the cyst may be too small measuring less than half inch or too large lesions that would fill up the entire stomach region. Very often dermoid cyst in the ovaries is asymptomatic (without any symptoms) unless it grows very big. There may be pain the abdomen, difficulty in passing urine, excess of Vaginal Bleeding and back pain. In case the cyst develops large in size, it would put pressure on the ovary putting risk of cutting down the blood supply into the ovaries. In that case, there may be severe vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain. But only in rare occasions this cyst demands emergency medical care.
Dermoid Cyst in the Brain and Spinal Cord :
These cysts seldom develop in brain and spinal cord. If it appears, it may cause infection and surgery is the only option to remove them. Similarly it may develop on nasal cavity which becomes very complicated for treating.
Causes :
The minute tissues and skin structures of the fetus become trapped and may grow into multiple skin folds in the form of hair follicles or sweat glands or teeth or nerve like structure. Dermoid cyst is present during birth.
Symptoms :
Abdominal pain, pressure on the pelvic region, lower back pain, vaginal bleeding and dysuria (difficulty in urinating) are some of the common symptoms of dermoid cyst in ovaries. For some women, there may be discomfort during intercourse. There will be increase in weight as the cyst grows bigger in size.
In case of nausea and continuous vomiting along with severe abdominal pain, you need to get medical care urgently.
Diagnoses :
It can be recognized easily if the cyst appears on the face. In case of Ovarian Cyst, CT scan is to be done for assessing the size and intensity of the cyst growth.
Pictures of Dermoid Cyst :
Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Dermoid Cyst
Treatment :
For dermoid cyst on the face, one should not try to remove it by shaving it at home, since there is every chance for it to occur. Further there is chance of getting infection. You can consult a cosmetic surgeon for its removal. A small incision is made on the spot and it can be removed from the root after applying local anesthesia on the face.
In case of dermoid cyst on the ovary no treatment is required if it is very small without causing any symptoms. If the size is too big and there is intense abdominal pain surgery is done for removing the cyst. It can grow into cancerous cells or tumor inside the ovary if not removed.
The surgery has to be performed by expert team of surgeons since the infected cyst has chance of rupturing and spreading to other parts.
It is difficult to operate dermoid cyst on the skull and spinal cord. Neurosurgeons will decide the option of surgery in case if the cyst poses serious problem for the affected person.
