Giant epidermoid cyst of scalp – A rare clinical entity

Abstract

Fig. 1 – Pre-operative picture of giant epidermoid cyst. Epidermoid cysts are the most common cystic lesions of the skin. They arise from pilosebaceous follicles in the hairy regions of the skin. Epidermoid cysts are usually asymptomatic; they enlarge slowly and vary in size usually from a few millimeters to 5 cm. A giant epidermoid cyst is >5 cms in diameter. Herein, we are reporting a case of giant epidermoid cyst on the scalp in the occipital area, which was a diagnostic surprise for us. A 75-year-old female patient presented to our outpatient department with the history of a very large, slowly growing swelling on the scalp in the occipital area for 20 years (Fig. 1), which spontaneously collapsed after draining foul swelling material while sleeping. On examination, a 20 cm 12 cm cystic swelling was present over scalp and bony indentation was palpable beneath. She was prepared for surgery and complete excision of the cyst with primary closure of the defect was done under GA and specimen was submitted for