DR. MANPREET KAUR

Abstract

Orbital epidermoids form a rare pathological entity that is separate from dermoid cysts. They have variable clinical presentations and they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of orbital cystic lesions. They can be either primary (congenital) or secondary cysts. Primary lesions are choristomas that involve displacement of epithelial elements during closure of the neural groove or other epithelial fusion lines . Secondary epidermoid cysts result from posttraumatic implantation of surface epithelium. Histologically, both dermoid and epidermoid cysts are lined by squamous epithelium with desquamated layers of keratin; however, dermoid cysts are characterized by the presence of mesodermal elements such as hair follicles or sebaceous glands. These cysts can be either superficial or deep.The authors present a unique case of bilobed epidermoid cyst in superonasal quadrant of orbit which was excised and proved histologically.