Excision of an Epidermoid Cyst

An epidermoid (epidermal) cyst had developed in the eyebrow area of a young man. An epidermal cyst is always tightly fixed to the skin (which helps to differentiate if from a lipoma) but mobile in relation to its base. The challenge in removing an epidermal cyst is to keep the capsule intact, as it is often difficult to remove the capsule of a ruptured epidermal cyst completely, and the remaining part of the capsule can lead to recurrence. When applying local anaesthesia, care should be taken not to inject the anaesthetic inside the cyst. Anaesthetic should, however, be placed also underneath the cyst. Skin incisions are made very superficially, and a scalpel is used to cut the edges away from the skin until blunt-tipped dissecting scissors can be inserted under the edge. The capsule adhesions are patiently cut with scissors until the cyst can be lifted from the wound. The diagnosis is confirmed by the cyst's pale content consisting of keratin and lipid-rich substance. The removed epidermal cyst does not need to be sent to a pathologist for histological diagnosis. See also video Excision of an Epidermoid Cyst from the Earlobe.

Excision of an Epidermoid Cyst

Excision of an epidermal cyst