Incidental Autopsy Finding of Intraosseous Dermoid Cyst With Craniosynostosis: A Case Report

Dermoid cysts are benign developmental anomalies that are typically cutaneous and occur along lines of embryonic closure. Rarely, intraosseous dermoid cysts can occur in the pediatric population. This report presents an incidental finding of an intraosseous dermoid cyst found during autopsy in the frontal bone of a 3-year-old female patient who died by drowning. The cyst measured 1.2 × 0.7 × 0.6 cm and was located along the sagittal suture. Histopathologic examination of the cyst revealed keratinized stratified squamous epithelium alongside sebaceous glands and hair follicles, confirming the diagnosis of dermoid cyst. Premature closure of all cranial sutures, or craniosynostosis, was also noted. This unique combination of findings may indicate an etiological connection, which may warrant further research. Furthermore, this report provides rare photographs while most intraosseous dermoid cysts are only captured via radiography. From a forensic pathology perspective, incidental findings like these can provide critical insights into congenital anomalies that may impact the family, future research, or medicolegal conclusions, highlighting the broader relevance of thorough autopsies. Moreover, incidental findings such as this case contribute to the growing need for forensic guidelines on how to manage and document unexpected discoveries during investigations.