title: Cutaneous cysts of the head and neck.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A retrospective study on the features of cutaneous cysts of the head and neck as seen in a North Jordanian population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of the Department of Pathology at Jordan University of Science and Technology were reviewed for patients with cutaneous cysts of the head and neck during the 12-year period extending between 1991 and 2002. Applicable records were retrieved, reviewed, and analyzed. Primary analysis outcome measures included patient age, gender, location of the cyst, type, clinical presentation, and treatment. The records of 488 patients were available for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epidermoid cyst was the most frequent lesion (49%) followed by pilar cysts (27%), and dermoid cysts (22%). The site affected most frequently was the scalp (34%), predominantly with pilar cysts (96%). Epidermoid cyst was the most frequent lesion in the neck (68%), cheeks (77%), periauricular area (70%), and the nasal area (55%). Dermoid cyst was the most frequent lesion in the periorbital area (52%). Females represented 51% of the patients and males accounted for 49%. The peak of age distribution for patients with dermoid cysts was at the first decade, and both of epidermoid and pilar cysts peaked at the third decade. Infection presented in 2.5% of cases. All cysts were enucleated surgically.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maxillofacial surgeons often encounter cutaneous cysts of the head and neck, and they must be familiar with the clinicopathologic characteristics of these lesions.
authors.affiliation: Division of Maxillofacial Surgery, Jordan University of Science and Technology and King Abdullah University Hospital, Irbid, Jordan. taiseerhhk@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Taiseer Hussain
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Al-Khateeb
authors.forename: Nidal M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Al-Masri
authors.forename: Firas
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Al-Zoubi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003560:Cysts / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004814:Epidermal Cyst / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006257:Head / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult