A Brief Introduction To Sabaceous Cyst

Definition
Sabaceous cyst which is also known as an epidermoid cyst is derived from hair follicles and it is a closed sac under the skin that is filled with a cheese like or oily material. It may be felt as small lumps or bumps under the skin.

Incidence
Sabaceous cyst represent one of the commonest skin lesions, occurring at any age after childhood. They are often multiple and occur in any hair bearing site on the body most commonly on the trunk, face and neck and particularly on the scalp and scrotum. They do not occur on the palms and soles.

Clinical Features
The main symptom is usually a small, non-painful lump beneath the skin.

If the lump becomes infected or inflamed, other symptoms may include:

• Skin redness
• Tender or sore skin
• Warm skin in the affected area

Grayish-white, cheesy, foul-smelling material may drain from the cyst.

The lesions are well defined and hemi spherical, growing slowly from 1-2 cm across. they lie in the subcutaneous tissue but are tethered to the skin by blocked duct, there being a pit on the surface at the site of hair follicle. gentle squeezing of the skin over the cyst demonstrates this point of tethering though the punctum is sometimes difficult to demonstrate, particularly over the scalp; when present it is diagnostic.

Important things to remember in relation to sabaceous cysts
Sabaceous cysts are associated with osteomas and intestinal polyps in Gardner’s syndrome.
Sabaceous cysts may occasionally ulcerate and in these cases can look very much like a malignant skin lesion.

Etiology
Sebaceous cysts most often arise from swollen hair follicles. Skin trauma can also induce a cyst to form. Excessive testosterone production will also cause such cysts.

Management
Surgical excision of a sebaceous cyst is a simple procedure to completely remove the sac and its contents. There are three general approaches used: traditional wide excision, minimal excision, and punch biopsy excision.

Another method of treatment involves placement of a heating pad directly on the cyst for about fifteen minutes, twice daily, for about 10 days (depending on size and location of the cyst) to promote drainage