Cysts: Types, Pictures, Symptoms, Causes, And Treatment

Give classification, clinical features, and complications of cysts.

Answer. Cyst is defined as “A pathological cavity having flid, semifluid or gaseous contents and which is not created by accumulation of pus.”— Kramer (1974)

Classification Of Cysts

1. Congenital cyst

Dermoids: Sequestration dermoid cyst
Tubulodermoids: Thyroglossal cyst, postanal dermoid, ependymal cyst, urachal cyst
Cyst of embryonic remnants: cyst from paramesonephric duct and mesonephric duct, cyst of urachus and vitellointestinal duct cyst.

2. Acquired cyst

Retention cysts: sebaceous cyst, bar tholin’s cyst, parotid cyst, breast cyst.
Distention cyst: lymph cyst, ovarian cyst, colloid goiter
Exudation cyst: Dursa, hydrocele, pancreatic pseudocyst

3. Cystic tumors: Dermoid cyst of the ovary, cystadenomas

4. Traumatic cyst: Hematoma, implantation dermoid cyst

5. Degenerative cyst: Tumor necrosis

6. Parasitic cyst: Hydatid cyst, cysticercosis cellulose, trichinosis.

Clinical Features Of Cysts

Hemispherical swelling which is smooth, flctuant, nontender and well localized.
Some cysts are transilluminate
Presentation varies depending on anatomical location and pathology
Cysts can be single or multiple.
Cysts lead to the compression of adjacent structures
This leads to infection, sinus formation, hemorrhage, calcification, and cachexia.

Complications Of Cysts

Infection: For example sebaceous cyst
Calcification: For example hematoma, hydatid cyst
Pressure effects: Ovarian cyst pressing iliac veins
Hemorrhage: In thyroid cyst
Torsion: Ovarian dermoid
Transformation into malignancy
Ovarian cachexia.

Thyroglossal Duct Cyst

Enumerate midline swelling of neck. Describe the thyroglossal cyst briefly.

Answer.

Enumeration of midline swelling of the neck

Ludwig’s angina
Enlarged sub-mental lymph node
Sub-lingual dermoid cyst
Thyroglossal cyst
Sub-hyoid bursitis
Goiter of thyroid, isthmus and pyramidal lobe
Enlarged lymph node and lipoma in substernal space of burns
Retrosternal goiter
Thymic swelling
Bony swelling arising from the manubrium sterni.