Sebaceous cyst

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Sebaceous cyst
Pronunciation
SpecialtyDermatology, general surgery

A sebaceous cyst is a term commonly used to refer to either:[1]

  • Epidermoid cysts (also termed epidermal cysts, infundibular cyst)
  • Pilar cysts
    (also termed trichelemmal cysts, isthmus-catagen cysts)

Both of the above types of

epidermis and pilar cysts originate from hair follicles. Technically speaking, then, they are not sebaceous cysts.[2] "True" sebaceous cysts, which originate from sebaceous glands and which contain sebum, are relatively rare and are known as steatocystoma simplex or, if multiple, as steatocystoma multiplex
.

Medical professionals have suggested that the term "sebaceous cyst" be avoided since it can be misleading.[3]: 31  In practice, however, the term is still often used for epidermoid and pilar cysts.

Signs and symptoms

Close-up of an infected sebaceous cyst located behind the ear lobe

The

upper arm, are common sites of sebaceous cysts, though they may occur anywhere on the body except the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.[4] They are more common in hairier areas, where in cases of long duration they could result in hair loss
on the skin surface immediately above the cyst. They are smooth to the touch, vary in size, and are generally round in shape.

They are generally mobile masses that can consist of:

The nature of the contents of a sebaceous cyst, and of its surrounding capsule, differs depending on whether the cyst has ever been infected.

With surgery, a cyst can usually be excised in its entirety. Poor surgical technique, or previous infection leading to scarring and tethering of the cyst to the surrounding tissue, may lead to rupture during excision and removal. A completely removed cyst will not recur, though if the patient has a predisposition to cyst formation, further cysts may develop in the same general area.

Causes

Cysts may be related to high levels of testosterone, hence may be more frequent in users of anabolic steroids.[5]

A case has been reported of a sebaceous cyst being caused by the human botfly.[6]

Hereditary causes of sebaceous cysts include

basal cell nevus syndrome
.

Types

Epidermoid cyst

Main article: Epidermoid cyst

Pilar cyst

Main article:
Pilar cyst

About 90% of pilar cysts occur on the scalp, with the remaining sometimes occurring on the face, trunk, and extremities.

autosomal dominant pattern.[7]: 1477  In most cases, multiple pilar cysts appear at once.[7]
: 1477 

Treatment

Sebaceous cysts generally do not require medical treatment. However, if they continue to grow, they may become unsightly, painful, and/or infected.

Surgical

Surgical excision of a sebaceous cyst is a simple procedure to completely remove the sac and its contents,[8] although it should be performed when inflammation is minimal.[9]

A sebaceous cyst that has been surgically removed

Three general approaches are used - traditional wide excision, minimal excision, and punch biopsy excision.[10]

The typical outpatient surgical procedure for cyst removal is to numb the area around the cyst with a

disinfected, and if necessary, the skin is stitched back together over it. A scar
will most likely result.

An infected cyst may require oral antibiotics or other treatment before or after excision. If pus has already formed, then incision and drainage should be done along with avulsion of the cyst wall with proper antibiotics coverage.

An approach involving incision, rather than excision, has also been proposed.[11]

References

  1. ^ "Epidermoid and pilar cysts (previously known as sebaceous cysts)". British Association of Dermatologists. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
  2. ^ "Epidermoid and Pilar Cysts (Sebaceous Cysts) - Patient UK". Retrieved 2013-03-04.
  3. ISBN 978-0721690032
    .
  4. ^ "Sebaceous Cysts: Treatment & Cause". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  5. PMID 1387354
    .
  6. PMID 12354816
    .
  7. ^
    ISBN 978-0849390234
    .
  8. PMID 2349906
    .
  9. PMID 11996426
    .
  10. PMID 17403333
    .
  11. S2CID 8354318
    .

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sebaceous cysts.
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