Different Radiologic Appearances of Giant Epidermoid Cysts at the Floor of the Mouth: Three Case Reports

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT Epidermoid and dermoid cysts are benign lesions, which may occur anywhere on the body. Approximately 7% of these lesions occur in the head and neck region and 1.6% in the oral cavity. We present three cases of giant epidermoid cysts located on the floor of the mouth. Case 1 was a 22-year-old man referred to our clinic with a 10-year history of a submental mass, which began growing and causing pain in the throat. His physical examination revealed masses in both the submental and the sublingual regions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrast revealed a well-circumscribed isohypointense cystic mass with a 'sack of mar- bles' appearance. Case 2 involved a 23-year-old female referred to our clinic with difficulty in chewing and swallowing solid food for 1 week previously. Her physical examination revealed a sublingual mass displacing the tongue upward. Her MRI revealed a heterogeneous hyperin- tense cystic mass in the sublingual region. Case 3 was a 28-year-old man referred to our clinic with submental swelling, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, decreased tongue movements and snoring. His computerized tomography indicated a homogenous cystic mass in the sub- mental region. The excision of the masses with an extraoral approach was performed in all the three cases. His histopathological examination revealed epidermoid cyst. In summary, epider- moid cysts may assume various appearances at radiological imaging.