From the Guidelines
Dermoid etiology is attributed to the abnormal formation of germ cells during embryogenesis, resulting in the development of teratomas that contain mature or immature tissue from all three germ layers 1, 2.
Key Points
- The exact mechanism is unclear, but it is thought to involve the sequestration of germ cells during fetal development, which then undergo disorganized growth and differentiation 2.
- Dermoid cysts are typically benign and asymptomatic, but may become symptomatic if they rupture or become infected 1.
- Teratomas are the most common type of germ cell tumor, and most are composed of mature tissues and are benign (dermoid cysts) 2.
- Immature teratomas have embryonic tissues that indicate malignant potential, and grading is prognostically relevant 2.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) classification of germ cell tumors includes teratomas, which can be either mature or immature 2.
- The development of dermoid cysts is related to the abnormal formation of germ cells during embryogenesis, and the sequestration of these cells during fetal development can lead to the formation of teratomas 1, 2.
From the Research
Etiology of Dermoid (Teratoma) Cyst
- Dermoid cysts are believed to arise from trapped pouches of ectoderm, near normal folds, or from failure of surface ectoderm to separate from the neural tube 3
- They can also occur as a result of the sequestration of the skin along the lines of embryonic closure 4
- Dermoid cysts are thought to be benign developmental anomalies, and their formation is related to the ectodermal components becoming trapped along with their closure sites 5
- The exact mechanism of their formation is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve the abnormal development of embryonic cells 6
Formation and Composition
- Dermoid cysts are composed of a variety of tissues, including skin, hair, sebaceous and sweat glands, and squamous epithelium 3
- They can also contain tissue from all three germ cell layers, including ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm 6
- The cysts are typically filled with a sebaceous fluid and may contain other elements such as teeth, bone, and cartilage 6
Location and Presentation
- Dermoid cysts can occur in various locations, including the orbit, calvarial diploic space, intracranially, and in the cervicofacial region 3, 4
- They can present with a range of symptoms, including mild symptoms, rupture leading to chemical meningitis, and infection 3
- In some cases, dermoid cysts can be asymptomatic and may only be discovered incidentally 4