Clinical observations on 15 cases of dermoid (or epidermoid) cysts in the oral region

Abstract

Dermoid (or epidermoid) cysts of the head and neck are rare. They are generally found in the bottom of the mouth, but also occassionally ocurr in unusual locations such as the cheek, lip, tongue and uvula.
In this paper, we made clinical observations on 15 cases of dermoid (or epidermoid) cysts, diagnosed histopathologically, in the oral region.
The results were as follows:
1. Of 15 cysts seen in the oral region, 8 were in the bottom of the mouth, 3 in the cheek, 2 in the tongue, 1 in the lip and in the uvula.
2. A total of 15 cases received an operation, 73.3% of which were epidermoid cysts.
3. The period of time between the appearance of noticeable symptoms caused by the cysts and first medical examination ranged from 2 months to ten years.
4. Although the majority of the cysts had no symptoms, the cyst in the bottom of the mouth of a seven-month-old baby had markedly obstructed nursing.