ABSTRACT

The aim of this review was to present the radiological findings of patients with histopathologically proven dermoid and epidermoid cysts in periorbital and intraobital region.

We evaluated 9 patients who underwent computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the orbit and were diagnosed with orbital dermoid and epidermoid cyts between August 2010 and March 2012. The radiological findings together with the histopathological findings were evaluated in light of the literature.

Three patients were women and 6 were men. The mean age of the subjects was 19.3 years (13-29 years). Before treatment, MRI or CT of the orbit was performed in all patients. The lesions were divided into two groups: superficially located and profoundly located. The radiological findings were evaluated according to the location of the lesions.

Epidermoid and dermoid cysts are rare benign tumors, representing 3 to 9% of all orbital tumors. These tumors are most often located adjacent to the lateral orbital wall, and may rarely be found in deep orbital cavity. These lesions grow slowly and occasionally do erode adjacent bone and sutures. Radiological recognition of the lesions and to know possible complications are important in the diagnosis and follow-up.