Epidermal Cyst on the Scalp Induced by Forceps Injury During Delivery: A Case Report and Epidemiological Analysis of 3949 Patients

Abstract

Background

Epidermal cysts are common benign epithelial tumors. They are known to result from penetrating-type injuries or infection of human papillomavirus. The differential diagnosis commonly includes multiplex steatocystoma, lipoma, and neurofibroma. Pathological examination is essential for diagnosis, and surgical excision is the recommended treatment.

Objective

We report a case in a man who presented with a cystic lesion on the scalp over 22 years to provide clinical evidence for mechanism of epidermal cysts. We conducted epidemiological analysis of 3949 patients with epidermal cysts to clarify the epidemiological characteristics and clinical features of epidermal cysts.

Patients and Methods

A total of 3949 individuals with confirmed epidermal cysts were collected for analysis. Data were expressed as mean ± SEM and analyzed using Student’s t-test.

Results

Our data showed that the mean age of diagnosis of males was statistically earlier than that of females (P<0.001), but no significant difference in sex predilection was observed (P=0.55). The high incidence age of males and females was in the young and middle stage. Lesion locations were a bit different among age groups, but the face was the most common site of epidermal cyst at all age stages.

Conclusion

Our case offers clinical evidence to the theory which refers trauma as one of the main causes of epidermal cysts in hair-bearing area. According to analysis of large number of samples, we can further support the idea that epidermal cyst has equal sex predilection and mainly occurs on the young and middle-aged adults. It is usually solitary and most likely to be found on face and trunk.

Keywords:

• epidermal cysts
• etiology
• epidemiological analysis
• treatment

Ethics Approval

All patients signed informed consent and consented to the publication of the article. Our project was ethically approved by Xi’an Jiaotong University.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Guanfei Zhang (Center for Mitochondrial Biology and Medicine, Xi’an Jiaotong University) for his help with data preparation and analysis.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.