Epidermoid cyst: highlights on diagnosis and magnetic resonance imaging features

Cisto epidermóide: processo de diagnóstico e características das imagens por ressonância magnética

Larissa Santana Arantes Elias^I; Angélica Ferreira Oton-Leite^I; Clóvis Martins Silva^II; Rejane Faria Ribeiro-Rotta^I; Aline Carvalho Batista^I; Elismauro Francisco de Mendonça^I

^IDepartment of Oral Medicine (Oral Pathology), Dental School, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
^IIAraújo Jorge Hospital, Association of Cancer Combat of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Epidermoid and dermoid cysts are extremely rare developmental cysts of a benign nature, which may occur anywhere in the body, although about 7% are found in the head and neck. This article reports a clinical case of a patient who had an epidermoid cyst and its magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features.
CASE REPORT: This case discusses an epidermoid cyst in a 36-year-old woman complaining about speech difficulty. Clinical examination revealed an extensive swelling on the floor of the mouth. MRI findings showed a cystic homogenous lesion located underneath the mylohyoid muscle which was removed by surgery. Histological examination of the mass confirmed the diagnosis of an epidermoid cyst.
CONCLUSION: We concluded that MRI was considered useful for a more accurate diagnosis prior to treatment.

Key words: Epidermoid cyst; dermoid cyst; magnetic resonance images; differential diagnosis

RESUMO

PROPOSTA: Cistos epidermóide e dermóide são cistos de desenvolvimento extremamente raros, de natureza benigna, que podem ocorrer em qualquer região do corpo e somente 7% são encontrados na região de cabeça e pescoço. Este artigo apresenta o caso clínico de uma paciente que possuía um cisto epidermóide juntamente com as características das imagens por ressonância magnética. ]]> DESCRIÇÃO DO CASO: Paciente do gênero feminino, 36 anos, apresentou-se com queixa de dificuldade de fonação e deglutição. O exame clínico intrabucal revelou uma extensa tumefação em soalho bucal. As imagens por ressonância magnética indicaram uma lesão de natureza cística, homogênea, de conteúdo sólido e localizada abaixo do músculo milohiódeo. A lesão foi enucleada e encaminhada para exame anatomopatológico, cujo diagnóstico foi compatível com cisto epidermóide.
CONCLUSÃO: A imagem por ressonância magnética foi essencial para determinar as características da lesão de acordo com a sua localização anatômica.

Palavras-chave: Cisto epidermóide; cisto dermóide; imagens por ressonância magnética; diagnóstico diferencial.

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Correspondence:
Elismauro Francisco de Mendonça
Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade Federal de Goiás
Primeira Avenida Número 1964, Setor Universitário
Goiânia, GO - Brasil 74605-020
E-mail: elismaur@odonto.ufg.br

Conflict of Interest Statement: The authors state that there are no financial and personal conflicts of interest that could have inappropriately influenced their work.