Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026
Three-Dimensional Reconstruction of Orbital Fractures
Published on: May 16, 2025
Clinical Outcomes of Ruptured Periorbital and Orbital Dermoid Cysts
We Fong Siah1, Ahmed A Al-Muhaylib, Saul Rajak
1*Corneo-Plastic Unit and Eye Bank, Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead, United Kingdom; †Department of Ophthalmology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; and ‡South Australian Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
Purpose:
To evaluate the clinical outcomes of ruptured dermoid cysts.
Methods:
A multicenter, retrospective study of all cases of periorbital and orbital dermoid cysts with histopathological evidence of rupture, including those with clinical rupture, was performed over a 10-year period. Demographics and clinical outcomes of ruptured dermoid cysts were recorded. Persistent inflammation was defined as the presence of edema, erythema, and discomfort for at least 28 days.
Results:
Eighty-six cases of dermoid cysts were identified. Median age was 5.5 (range, 1-63) years. Location of cyst was either periorbital (n = 60, 70%) or orbital (n = 26, 30%). There were 29 cases with clinically apparent rupture: 27 surgically ruptured (93%) and 2 spontaneous rupture (7%). Persistent inflammation was found in 1 spontaneous cyst rupture case (50%) and 1 surgically ruptured cyst (3.7%). Older age (p = 0.01) and bony attachment (p = 0.001) were significant factors for cyst rupture, while there was no influence from cyst location (p = 0.14).
Conclusions:
Persistent inflammation is uncommon after surgical rupture of dermoid cysts, but likely after spontaneous rupture. Older age and bony attachment are risk factors for cyst rupture.
