Familial Epidermoid Cysts of the Spleen: Report of Two Cases

The familial occurrence of epidermoid cysts of the spleen is rare, with only six cases having ever been reported, to our knowledge. We recently diagnosed epidermoid cysts of the spleen in a mother and son. First, a 15-year-old boy was admitted to our hospital for management of blunt abdominal trauma. Computed tomography (CT) showed a ruptured large splenic cyst with an intraabdominal hematoma. We performed a splenectomy, and histopathological examination confirmed the existence of an epidermoid cyst of the spleen. About 2 years and 6 months later, the family physician found that the patient's 41-year-old mother had a large splenic cyst, and she was referred to our hospital for further investigation. CT showed a 10 × 8 cm cyst occupying most of the spleen. The patient underwent splenectomy, and a pathological diagnosis of an epidermoid cyst of the spleen was confirmed. Although the etiology of epidermoid cysts of the spleen is unclear, this familial occurrence may support the hypothesis of congenital malformation as a result of genetic change.     

Laparoscopic splenic total cystectomy in a patient with elevated CA 19-9.

True nonparasitic splenic cysts are rare. Reports of approximately 30 cases of benign true splenic cysts producing elevated CA 19-9 serum levels have been published. The traditional treatment of splenic epidermoid cysts is splenectomy. However, with all the advances in laparoscopic surgery, conservative laparoscopic approaches are accepted as the most preferred techniques for this benign disease. Laparoscopic cystectomy with its minimal invasiveness and low morbidity is the ideal technique for properly selected patients. So far, only one case report of laparoscopic cystectomy for splenic epidermoid cyst with elevated CA 19-9 levels has been published. This is the second known report of this procedure being performed to remove a splenic epidermoid cyst in a patient with elevated CA 19-9 levels.     

Intradiploic arachnoid cyst identified by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging--case report

A 72-year-old woman presented with an intradiploic arachnoid cyst in the occipital intradiploic space which was found incidentally by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Computed tomography revealed a widened diploic space and thinning of the inner and outer tables of the occipital bone. The cyst appeared as isointense to the cerebrospinal fluid on both T1- and T2-weighted images. The differential diagnosis of intradiploic epidermoid cyst could be excluded because the lesion was low intensity on diffusion-weighted MR images. Arachnoid cyst is a benign lesion, so exploratory surgery should be avoided unless the cyst is symptomatic. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging is an effective modality to distinguish diploic epidermoid cysts from arachnoid cysts.     

Laparoscopic excision of subdiaphragmatic epidermoid cyst: a case report

Retroperitoneal epidermoid cysts are rare. The authors report a case of an 11-year-old boy with an asymptomatic subdiaphragmatic cyst, which was found incidentally during an investigation for hypertension. At laparoscopy, the cyst was densely adherent to the diaphragm, resulting in a pneumothorax during dissection. Nevertheless, the excision and the diaphragmatic repair could be completed laparoscopically without complication. Microscopic examination showed an epidermoid cyst. No similar case has been reported in the literature.     

Giant earlobe epidermoid cyst

Epidermoid cysts represent the most common cutaneous cysts. They are usually small and benign; however, sometimes they can grow to giant epidermoid cists, and occasionally malignancies develop. Giant epidermoid cysts at the earlobe have never been described but in other locations. We describe a case of a giant epidermoid cyst at the earlobe, a location where such a large cyst has never been reported before. The mass was completely resected and the wound of the pedunculated base was sutured with four stitches of nylon 5/0. Histopathology confirmed the presumptive diagnosis of an epidermoid cyst. Six months after the resection, the patient did not have any relapse of the epidermoid cyst. The earlobe is a potential location for giant epidermoid cysts. Although the clinical diagnosis could be enough, due to the possibility of malignancy and to ensure appropriate diagnosis, we consider that all cysts should be sent to the anatomic pathology laboratory for histological evaluation.     

Epidermoidzyste der Niere

In contrast to epidermoid cysts of the dermis, epidermoid cysts of the kidneys are rare. We report on a female patient with recurrent renal colic caused by an epidermoid cyst of her right kidney. A malignant tumor was suspected by computed tomography but was ruled out through ureterorenoscopic biopsy. The epidermoid cyst was removed by a partial nephrectomy.     

Testis sparing surgery for epidermoid cyst of the testis: A case report

A rare tumour of a prepubertal child, an epidermoid cyst, was excised with testicular preservation. Childhood testicular tumours are usually benign. Although epidermoid cysts of the testis may have teratomatous component, testicular teratomas are generally benign in the prepubertal child. For these reasons testis sparing surgery seems applicable in childhood epidermoid cysts.     

Laparoscopic splenectomy for a large multilocular splenic cyst with elevated CA19-9: Report of a case

INTRODUCTIONBecause splenic cysts are rare, a definitive treatment regime for these cysts remains unclear. We report a case of a large multilocular splenic cyst with elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) levels, which was successfully treated with laparoscopic splenectomy.PRESENTATION OF CASEA 22-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with severe left upper abdominal pain. Serum CA19-9 level was mildly elevated (65 U/ml). Computed tomography revealed a 25-cm long spleen with multilocular cystic lesions, for which an emergency laparoscopic splenectomy was performed. Histological findings revealed that the lesion was a benign true cyst, and immunostaining analyses showed that the epithelium was CA19-9-positive.DISCUSSIONAlthough some spleen-preserving approaches have been reportedly used, splenic cyst recurrence usually occurs in true cyst cases, wherein the cyst is incompletely removed. Most reported cases of splenic cysts producing CA19-9 are true cysts.CONCLUSIONThe treatment approach should be decided on the basis of the type, shape, location, and even CA19-9 levels of the splenic cyst.     

Benign testicular tumors

Testicular tumor is considered rare in Oriental people and benign testicular tumor has never been reported from this area. From 1969 to 1985 70 cases of intratesticular tumors were treated at Tri-Service General Hospital. 12 of them were benign in nature including 8 epidermoid cysts, 1 cavernous hemangioma, 1 foreign body granuloma with pseudocyst, 1 Sertoli cell tumor and 1 intratesticular simple cyst. A testis-sparing procedure was performed for 5 epidermoid cysts, the Sertoli cell tumor and the simple intratesticular cyst. The tumors were excised completely and the testes were preserved after careful and thorough frozen section pathological studies. One of the epidermoid cysts and the case of simple testicular cyst were diagnosed correctly before surgery by using scrotal ultrasound.     

Epidermoid cyst traversing the pons into the fourth ventricle. Case report

A rare case of epidermoid cyst traversing the brain stem is presented. Computed tomography revealed the mass within the fourth ventricle; magnetic resonance imaging showed the dumbbell-shaped mass extending from the prepontine cistern to the fourth ventricle. Despite the high mortality and morbidity of brain stem epidermoid cysts in the literature, the tumor was successfully removed. The advantages of magnetic resonance imaging over computed tomography are described.     

Testis sparing surgery for epidermoid cyst of the testis: A case report

A rare tumour of the prepubertal child, an epidermoid cyst was excised with testicular preservation. Childhood testis tumours are usually benign. Although epidermoid cystes of the testis may have teratomatous component, testicular teratomas are generally benign in the prepubertal child. For these reasons testis sparing surgery seems applicable in childhood epidermoid cysts.     

Posterior fossa epidermoid cysts presenting with unusual radiological appearances--two case reports

Intracranial epidermoid cysts generally appear as hypodense on computed tomography (CT), hypointense on T(1)-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, and hyperintense on diffusion-weighted MR imaging. We report two cases of posterior fossa epidermoid cysts with unusual radiological features. A 49-year-old male presented with facial dysesthesia and a 12-year-old male presented with diplopia and internuclear ophthalmoplegia. CT of both cases revealed hyperdense lesions. MR imaging showed the first case as hypointense in the posterior part and hyperintense in the anterior part of the tumor on diffusion-weighted imaging, and the second case as hyperintense on diffusion-weighted and T(1)-weighted MR imaging. Surgical exploration revealed that the tumors consisted of creamy materials, instead of the usual semi-solid or flaky texture in epidermoid cysts. Xanthochromic serous fluid was also contained in the superoposterior half of the cyst of the first case. These unusual contents of the cyst may be responsible for the unusual neuroimaging findings. Histological examination showed both cysts were lined with stratified squamous epithelium and contained keratinaceous materials. Therefore, epidermoid cysts can occasionally present with unusual radiological characteristics giving rise to a diagnostic pitfall.     

An atypical site of a retroperitoneal epidermoid cyst in a middle-aged woman

INTRODUCTIONRetroperitoneal cysts are rare, usually asymptomatic, abdominal lesions. Epidermoid cysts developing in this space usually occur in middle-aged women and are incidentally discovered in the presacral region during ultrasound examination. Occasionally, cysts may arise from splenic tissue or adrenal glands and develop above the presacral area.PRESENTATION OF CASEWe present the unusual location of a cyst in the retroperitoneal space in a 41-year-old woman admitted to hospital due to detection of a lesion in ultrasound imaging. A CT scan confirmed large intra-abdominal cyst. At operation, a large retroperitoneal thin-walled cyst with no evident arising point was discovered. Histologic analysis revealed epidermoid cyst.DISCUSSIONOur patient presented with giant retroperitoneal cyst extending from the subhepatic region to the uterine and bladder. To our knowledge, this unusual location in adult has not been previously reported in the literature. In our case the lesion was adjacent to inferior vena cava and mesenteric vessel which required special attention during preparation and was technically demanding.CONCLUSIONSurgery is the gold standard for the diagnosis and treatment of retroperitoneal epidermoid cysts. Successful treatment of benign retroperitoneal epidermoid cysts depends on appropriate diagnosis, careful operative technique, and adequate management of the underlying pathology.     

阴囊多发表皮样囊肿1例报告并文献复习

目的：探讨阴囊表皮样囊肿的临床特征和诊疗方案。方法：对1例阴囊多发表皮样囊肿临床资料进行分析,结合相关文献进行复习并讨论。结果：本例患者阴囊多发肿块,进行性长大,触之质软,无疼痛等不适。仔细体检,术前行活组织病理检查诊断为阴囊表皮样囊肿,术后切除病变组织块送病检证实为阴囊表皮样囊肿。随访3个月无明显不适。结论：阴囊多发表皮样囊肿是阴囊罕见的良性肿瘤,一般无明显不适,诊断主要依靠病理检查。手术切除肿瘤后患者预后良好,但易复发。     

Giant epidermoid splenic cyst

Giant epidermoid splenic cysts are rare benign tumors. Their treatment is becoming increasingly less aggressive and more conservative. We report the case of a young woman with a giant epidermoid cyst, which required open total splenectomy, and review the literature on benign congenital tumors of the spleen.     

Intramedullary epidermoid cysts of the spinal cord. Case report.

Epidermoid cysts are tumors familiar to neurosurgeons, but intramedullary epidermoid cysts are rare. The authors report the case of a 6-year-old girl presenting with progressive paraparesis. A midthoracic intramedullary mass was revealed on myelography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and confirmed as an intramedullary epidermoid cyst at surgery, at which time the cyst was removed. This is the fourth report documenting a purely intramedullary epidermoid cyst occurring in a child. The pathology and etiology, epidemiology, clinical features, radiology (including MR image characteristics), and surgical treatment of such rare intramedullary benign tumors are discussed. Magnetic resonance imaging reduces the delay in diagnosis of spinal cord tumors but should be guided by clinical judgment.     

Kystes épidermoïdes de la grande citerne et du quatrième ventricule : à propos de quatre cas

IntroductionEpidermoid cyst is a congenital and benign tumor, developed from ectodermal inclusion. These cysts occur very rarely in the cisterna magna and the fourth ventricle.ObjectiveTo report four cases of epidermoid cyst of the cisterna magna and the fourth ventricle in the light of the data of literature.Patients and methodsWe report a retrospective study of four cases of epidermoid cysts of the cisterna magna and the fourth ventricle. The data was collected from January 2000 to December 2006 from to series of 18 cases of epidermoid cysts of posterior cranial fossa (14 cases were localised at the cerebellopontine angle). All the patients had a physical examination and a complete neuroradiological imagery. The treatment was surgical. The follow-up was at least 9 months.ResultsThere were two men and two women. The mean age was 47.75 years. All patients presented with cerebellar syndrome. Three patients had intracranial hypertension. Neuroradiological explorations showed a cystic lesion developed in the cisterna magna in two cases, in the fourth ventricle in one case and in the two locations in one case. Two patients had hydrocephalus. All patients had surgery with a posterior approach and one patient had first ventriculoperitoneal shunt. The diagnosis was confirmed by histological examination. Postoperatory outcome was favourable in all cases. One patient developed bilateral chronic subdural hematoma, which was surgically removed. A long time follow-up was good in all cases.ConclusionEpidermoid cysts are characterized by a long evolution. The diagnosis is relatively characteristic in the imagery. The prognosis was favourable with a complete surgical resection.     

Acute Budd–Chiari syndrome due to a simple liver cyst

Simple liver cysts are common, rarely causing significant morbidity or mortality. Budd–Chiari syndrome (BCS) is caused by obstruction of hepatic venous outflow and is the leading cause of postsinusoidal liver failure. We present a rare case of BCS caused by a simple hepatic cyst.A 16cm × 16cm liver cyst was found on computed tomography of a 66-year-old woman presenting with abdominal pain. The cyst had become infected, thus enlarged, exerting mass effect with almost complete compression of the inferior vena cava. Shortly after admission, the patient developed acute liver failure, with deranged clotting and hepatic encephalopathy requiring full organ support on the intensive care unit. Cardiac output studies showed a low cardiac index of 1.4l/min/m².An emergency laparotomy with fenestration of the cyst and drainage of 2l of purulent material led to a full recovery. Intraoperative cystic fluid aspirates later confirmed no evidence of Echinococcus. Histology confirmed a simple cyst. Liver biopsies showed severe, confluent, bridging necrosis, without background parenchymal liver disease.Acute BCS due to rapid compression of all major hepatic veins leading to fulminant hepatic failure is rare. Our case highlights a clinically significant complication of a simple liver cyst of which clinicians should be aware when managing these ‘innocent’ lesions.     

Microsurgery for intradural epidermoid cyst at cauda equina level in a 9-year-old child: A case report

Introduction and importanceEpidermoid cysts are rare benign tumors. Here, we present a case of spontaneous intradural epidermoid cyst at cauda equina level in a 9-year-old patient, which we believed the first case to be reported in Vietnam.Case presentationA 9-year-old boy presented with 4 months of spontaneous left lower extremity muscle weakness and paresthesia. The MRI images suggested the diagnosis of intradural epidermoid cyst at cauda equina level. The patient underwent L5–S1 laminectomy and durotomy for tumor resection. The histology confirmed the diagnosis of epidermoid cyst. Post-operative images demonstrated total cyst removal.Clinical discussionThe epidermiology, presentation and diagnosis and strategy of treatments as well as their outcomes were discussed.ConclusionDiagnosis of spinal epidermoid cyst is often delayed for its obscure presentation. Microsurgical dissection along with intra-operative mobile C-Arms enable total tumor resection while preserving spinal stability and neurological function. Follow-up with post-operative magnetic resonance imaging and tumor marker are helpful.