Nasal dermoid cyst: a single-center 10-year experience and review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: To present a 10-year single-center experience with nasal dermoid cysts and to evaluate their clinical presentation, radiological characteristics, surgical management, and outcomes, in conjunction with a review of the literature.

Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on eight patients diagnosed with nasal dermoid cysts between 2015 and 2025 at a tertiary referral center. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, imaging findings, lesion classification according to the Hartley system, surgical approaches, and follow-up outcomes were reviewed. Patients without histopathological confirmation or with incomplete clinical data were excluded. All patients underwent preoperative magnetic resonance imaging to assess lesion extent and possible intracranial involvement.

Results: The study included eight patients (5 females, 3 males) with a mean age of 16.12 years. The most common presenting symptom was nasal dorsum swelling (75%). All lesions were cystic, and no sinus tract or fistula was observed. Imaging revealed fat-containing lesions in all cases, with varying degrees of soft tissue involvement and bone erosion. According to the Hartley classification, one patient was classified as Type I, six as Type II, and one as Type III. No intracranial intradural extension was identified. Surgical excision was performed using external, intranasal, or combined approaches depending on lesion extent. No postoperative complications were observed. The mean follow-up period was 5.37 years, and no recurrences were detected.

Conclusion: Nasal dermoid cysts are rare congenital lesions requiring thorough preoperative evaluation, particularly to assess intracranial extension. Accurate radiological assessment and individualized surgical planning are essential for complete excision. In our series, appropriate surgical management resulted in favorable outcomes without recurrence.