OBJECTIVE: The aim was to analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of 8 orofacial dermoid cysts (DC) in pediatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was made, reviewing the medical records with clinical diagnosis of dermoid cyst between 1987 and 2006 in the Children's Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain. The following data were collected: sex, age, location, size and duration of the lesion, treatment, length of follow-up, and recurrence. RESULTS: Eight patients (3 girls and 5 boys) with a mean age of 2.7 years (range 0-12 years). Four DC were located in the oral area (3 sublingual and 1 lingual), one in the periorbital and three in the nasal areas. The size ranged from 0.8 cm to 4 cm. The mean duration of the lesion was 13.7 months (range 4 days to 2 years). All DC were diagnosed pathologically following surgical removal of the lesion. There were no recurrences. CONCLUSION: The appearance of DC in the maxillofacial region of pediatric patients is uncommon. The floor of the mouth is the most frequently affected area in the oral cavity. Treatment is surgical removal of the lesion. Recurrence is unusual.
OBJECTIVE: The aim was to analyze the clinical characteristics, treatment and outcome of 8 orofacial dermoid cysts (DC) in pediatric patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective observational study was made, reviewing the medical records with clinical diagnosis of dermoid cyst between 1987 and 2006 in the Children's Maxillofacial Surgery Department of the Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain. The following data were collected: sex, age, location, size and duration of the lesion, treatment, length of follow-up, and recurrence. RESULTS: Eight patients (3 girls and 5 boys) with a mean age of 2.7 years (range 0-12 years). Four DC were located in the oral area (3 sublingual and 1 lingual), one in the periorbital and three in the nasal areas. The size ranged from 0.8 cm to 4 cm. The mean duration of the lesion was 13.7 months (range 4 days to 2 years). All DC were diagnosed pathologically following surgical removal of the lesion. There were no recurrences. CONCLUSION: The appearance of DC in the maxillofacial region of pediatric patients is uncommon. The floor of the mouth is the most frequently affected area in the oral cavity. Treatment is surgical removal of the lesion. Recurrence is unusual.