Dermoid cysts are fluid filled sacs present at birth that need surgery for removal. In adolescent girls these cysts often form in the ovaries. They can also be located at other parts of the body such as the head, neck, or spine. To know more about dermoid cysts keep reading the article.
Table of Contents
Causes of Dermoid Cysts
The exact causes of dermoid cysts have not been ascertained, but they are believed to have developed at the embryonic stage. Meant for generation of tissues intended for reproduction, germ cells may sometimes get entrapped, and develop a cystic structure. These cysts may remain asymptomatic for years and are commonly discovered accidentally during imaging studies or medical examination.
- Hormonal Changes: Changes during puberty may determine the growth of ovarian dermoid cysts.
- Family History: Cysts seem to have a tendency to run in some families.
- Trauma or Injury: In a small number of cases, it is possible that the injury would cause previously hidden cysts to become revealed or aggravated.
Symptoms of Dermoid Cysts
Dermoid cysts are frequently not symptomatic until they attain a size, which can cause pain or other problems. Symptoms may include:
- Pelvic Pain: Soreness in the shape of a dull or sharp pain in the pelvic area, worsened during the menstrual cycle.
- Abdominal Swelling: A phenomenon of massive enlargement of abdominal girth as a result of cyst expansion.
- Nausea or Vomiting: These symptoms may develop if twisting of the ovary at the site of the cyst has occurred.
- Changes in Urination or Bowel Movements: If the cysts are relatively huge they may even compress neighboring organs, leading to problems like urinary or digestive disorders.
Diagnosing Dermoid Cysts
Diagnosis often involves a combination of:
- Physical Examination: Malignant changes may be noted on a pelvic examination.
- Ultrasound: Imaging contributes to the confirmation of the cyst and its size.
- MRI or CT Scans: Because of this, one may require invasive imaging to ascertain the character of the cyst.
- Blood Tests: These assist in excluding malignant growths even though dermoid cysts are usually recognized to be harmless.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the cyst’s size, symptoms, and potential complications:
1. Close Monitoring
So, if the cyst is small and the patient does not experience any pain or discomfort, the doctors can tell the patient to have ultrasounds done on the cyst occasionally to check its size.
2. Surgical Removal
- Laparoscopy: A procedure which very rarely involves a cut on the skin and is usually used to excise small to medium cysts.
- Laparotomy: Done for bigger or complex cysts.
Definitely, surgical management is required if the cyst leads to severe pain or the cyst enlarges considerably in size, or if it results in ovarian torsion.
3. Fertility Preservation
However, the main goal in adolescent girls is to protect ovarian function. In order to excise the cyst, surgeons have to operate on a patient, while at the same time preserving as much of the affected ovary as possible.
Potential Complications
Although dermoid cysts are benign, complications can arise if left untreated:
- Ovarian Torsion: The weight of the cyst may lead to torsion of the ovary leading to constriction of blood flow.
- Rupture: If the cyst ruptures, it leads to inflammation, in addition to sharp pain.
- Infection: Infrequently, a dermoid cyst may develop an infection with symptoms such as fever and pain at the site.
Dermoid cysts may appear alarming to individuals, especially when they develop on the ovaries, but it is advised to consult a gynecologist or a medical doctor for a detailed diagnosis and to get the appropriate treatment for them.
