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What is the mysterious composition of dermoid cysts? Why are they so diverse?
Dermoid cyst is a teratoma with cystic characteristics. It not only contains a variety of mature tissues, but also displays mysterious composition and diversity. These cysts usually include mature tissues such as skin, hair follicles, and sweat glands, and may even include hairballs, fat, small bones, teeth, eyeballs, and nail plate tissue. This diverse composition is surprising, but why is the structure of dermoid cysts so variable?
The formation and composition of dermoid cysts
The occurrence of dermoid cysts is mainly caused by abnormal differentiation of pluripotent germ cells, which are already present in the embryonic stage. Here are some typical components of a dermoid cyst:
Dermoid cysts can contain hair, fat, bone, even teeth and various other solid tissues, which shows the complexity of their formation process.
Characteristics and types of dermoid cysts
Dermoid cysts are usually benign and grow slowly, so patients often don't notice them in their early stages. These cysts can be found in many places, including the ovaries, vagina, and around the face (especially around the eyes and eyebrows). Specific types include:
- Ovarian and vaginal dermoid cysts
- Dermoid cyst around the eye
- Spinal dermoid cyst
Ovarian and vaginal dermoid cysts
In women's ovaries, dermoid cysts form from embryonic cells that are present at birth. Although functional cysts are common and most disappear on their own, dermoid cysts are not functional cysts. They can sometimes lead to complications such as torsion, rupture, or infection, but these are relatively rare. For larger dermoid cysts, surgical removal may be necessary.
Dermoid cysts around the eyes and spine
Periocular dermoid cysts are common in young children, especially on the outside of the eyebrows, and these cysts sometimes require surgical removal to avoid potential inflammation or recurrence. Spinal dermoid cysts are relatively rare and are thought to be related to embryological errors in neural tube closure. These cysts typically occur in the lumbosacral region and may be associated with other spinal structural abnormalities.
Diagnosis and treatment of dermoid cyst
Diagnosing a dermoid cyst sometimes requires a differential diagnosis with other conditions, such as whether it may be confused with a pilonidal caudal cyst. Excisional surgery is the only effective treatment and should be performed in one step without leaking the cyst contents to reduce potential complications. Although in some cases, medical management may vary depending on the size and progression of the cyst.
Diversity of dermoid cysts and future research directions
The diverse composition of these cysts has challenged our understanding of dermoid cysts and prompted the scientific community to explore the underlying causes and cellular sources of their formation. For future research, more in-depth genetic and cellular studies may be able to unravel the mystery of the components of dermoid cysts.
The mysterious composition of dermoid cysts makes us wonder, what role do these cysts filled with different tissues play in our bodies?
