Supraorbital Nerve Neuroma Caused by Blind Curettage of an Infected Epidermal Cyst

Abstract

A 38-year-old woman presented with a tender mass with mild erythematous change above the left eyebrow area. She had received curettage in another clinic after a diagnosis of infected epidermal cyst 5 years previously. On examination, a round, irregular scar and a mass of 1-cm diameter associated with mild erythematous region were observed above the right eyebrow.Exploration disclosed a 1-cm neuroma with mild adhesion to a branch of the supraorbital nerve. The neuroma was completely removed. However, although partial transection of the supraorbital nerve was performed during surgery, the nerve was not repaired. The open wound was repaired securely. A histopathologic examination of the resected specimen resulted in a diagnosis of traumatic neuroma. The patient had no forehead numbness before or after surgery.