Orbital Dermoid Cyst: A Case Report and Our Five-Year Experience

Fabio Luciani, Ermal Pashaj, Carla Sgroi, Bora Kerpi, Filadelfo Coniglione, Ernesto Bruno.

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this work is to determine the clinical-histological characteristics and the treatment of the orbital dermoid cyst, a benign choristoma, relatively common in pediatric age but rather rare in adults. Clinically, it may be associated with unilateral proptosis, diplopia, alteration of the lateral temporal visual field, and limitation of ocular motility; it often appears visible and palpable on physical examination.
Materials and Methods: We described the clinical and histological characteristics of the Orbital Dermoid Cyst, and the data from the literature review were compared with ours, collected over 5 years of clinical activity at the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit of the University Hospital “Our Lady of Good Counsel.” In our Case Report, we present the preparation of the coronal flap and orbital osteotomy using Sonic-Surgery instrumentation, which ensures greater precision in osteotomy, reduced edema formation, increased safety, and preservation of noble anatomical structures.
Results: The prognosis of the Dermoid Cyst is certainly favorable, and if the surgical removal is properly planned and performed, it can result in a 100% restitutio ad integrum. The main difficulty lies in respecting the loco-regional anatomy, which is rather complex and variable. Between March 2021 and February 2026, we reported in our case series 2 cases of orbital dermoid cyst. The incidence in our patient sample was 0,23%.
Conclusions: We can therefore conclude that the orbital dermoid cyst is a benign disembryogenetic lesion of the soft tissues, frequent in pediatric age but relatively rare in adults. It requires correct diagnosis and complete surgical removal in order to achieve an excellent prognosis and prevent the risk of recurrence.