title: Ultrasonographic appearance of dermoid and epidermoid cysts in the head and neck.
abstract: The ultrasonographic features of 6 histologically proven dermoid and epidermoid cysts in the head and neck are reported. All 6 cysts had internal echoes, with a solid appearance. Five of the 6 were echogenic, with only slight or no posterior echo enhancement. Amorphous keratinous debris from keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium filled the lumen of each cyst, producing the internal echoes. Most of the true solid tumors examined were generally of lower echogenicity, and could be differentiated from dermoid and epidermoid cysts ultrasonographically, although lipomas were indistinguishable from these cysts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yasumoto
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shibuya
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gomi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kasuga
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography