Abstract
Rudolf Virchow is considered to be the first scientist to have used the word sebaceous cyst. It was thought that these lesions occurred due to retention of sebaceous secretion consequent to obstruction of sebaceous ducts of sebaceous glands, although that was found not to be the case. In all these cysts, the cavity is filled with keratin. There are six types of keratin-filled cysts, namely, epidermoid, dermoid, teratoid, keratinous, trichilemmal, and teratoma cyst, which have one common name “dermoid cyst.” Of the six, teratoid cyst is the least common. In contrast to other dermoid cysts, teratoid cysts contain tissue elements derived from all the three germ layers, namely, ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. Teratomas can be differentiated from teratoid cysts by the fact that recognizable organ structures may be found in the former; examples include teeth and skin. Teratoid cysts can develop anywhere in the body but rarely arise in the head and neck region. They have never been reported in the postauricular region. In this case report, we present a case of teratoid cyst in the postauricular region in a 21-year-old female. The significance of this case lies in its rarity.
Highlights
Keratin-filled cysts are often improperly referred to as sebaceous cysts because keratin debris of these cysts resembles sebaceous material on casual examination
It was thought that these lesions occurred due to retention of sebaceous secretion consequent to obstruction of sebaceous ducts of sebaceous glands, that was found not to be the case [1]
The following theories have been put forward regarding the origin of dermoid cysts: (i) There is congenital inclusion of dermal and epidermal elements of germ layers in deeper tissues along the embryonic lines of fusion. (ii) Implantation of dermal and epidermal elements of surface epithelium can occur after birth due to trauma, which may proliferate and keratinize. (iii) Growth can occur from the rest of totipotent stem cells displaced from the blastomere [2]
Summary
Keratin-filled cysts are often improperly referred to as sebaceous cysts because keratin debris of these cysts resembles sebaceous material on casual examination. Epidermoid cysts, known by various other names such as epidermal cyst, epidermal inclusion cyst, and follicular infundibular cyst, are the most common cutaneous cysts They occur anywhere in the body, but the most common locations are face, scalp, neck, and trunk [5]. Dermoid cysts in the skin and subcutaneous tissue occur most commonly on the face, neck, or scalp [1]. These cysts are located in the midline in the head and neck region and sometimes on the floor of the mouth because they develop from entrapment of epithelial cells along the lines of embryonic closure [6]. Epidermoid, dermoid, teratoma, and teratoid cysts are lined by keratinized stratified squamous epithelium with distinct granular layer. Malignant transformation can occur in teratoid cysts and teratoma
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