An Unusual Presentation of an Epidermoid Cyst Near the Nasolabial Fold: A Case Report

Epidermoid cysts are benign, slow-growing lesions arising from epidermal cell proliferation within the dermis. Although common on the scalp and trunk, they rarely occur in the head and neck region, particularly the cheek. We report a 31-year-old male with a painless, progressive swelling lateral to the right nasolabial fold for two years. Ultrasonography and fine-needle aspiration yielded keratinous material suggestive of an epidermoid cyst. The lesion was excised entirely via an intraoral approach under general anesthesia. Histopathology showed a cyst lined by orthokeratinized stratified squamous epithelium without adnexal structures, confirming an epidermoid cyst. Healing was uneventful, and no recurrence was noted after one year. This case highlights the importance of considering epidermoid cysts in the differential diagnosis of cheek masses and demonstrates that an intraoral approach provides excellent aesthetic and functional results.