Gigantic occipital epidermal cyst in a 56-year-old female: A case report

Gigantic epidermal cysts (GECs) are rare benign skin appendicular tumours also known as keratinocysts. GECs have a high incidence and their wall is made up of epidermis. Epidermal cysts can occur in any part of the skin; clinical manifestations include skin colour hemispherical swelling; cystic; mobile; 0.5 cm to several centimetres in diameter; and slow growth.

Herein, we report a case involving a 56-year-old female with a GEC in the occipitalia. On July 25, 2023, a patient with a GEC was admitted to the neurosurgery Department of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University. The phyma was shown to be a solid mass during the operation and was confirmed to be a GEC based on pathological examination.

Epidermal cysts are common cystic nodules on the surface of the body, the aetiology is unclear, the clinical manifestations can vary, and the misdiagnosis rate is high. However, giant epidermal cysts are rare. In most cases, however, the prognosis is satisfactory. This paper analyses and summarizes the population, location, clinical and pathological characteristics and pathogenesis of the disease to strengthen the understanding of this disease and improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis.