Pilar Cysts of the Head and Neck: A Case Report

Pilar cysts, a subtype of sebaceous cysts, are benign masses often commonly found on the scalp, back, and face. They are common amongst women and carry a low potential for malignancy. These lesions arise due to the buildup of keratin in the skin pore, blocking the exit port of sebaceous gland secretions. The buildup of keratin material ultimately leads to cyst formation. The complications of these cysts include inflammation, rupture, infection, and transformation to cancerous lesions in some rare instances. This is a case of a 59-year-old female with a long-standing history of recurrent complicated pilar cysts who presented to the outpatient surgical clinic for assessment of cysts for removal. A total of eleven cysts were successfully removed through two separate surgeries.