Nasal Dermoids

These are skin lined cysts that occur around the nose. Some are simple cysts between the the nose and the eye. Some are in the midline and have a tube (duct or tract) linking the cyst with the outside world. This opening (the punctum) is in the midline and may have secretions and even hairs coming out of it. The cyst can be quite deep even reaching up to the coverings of the brain.

Removing the cyst and all of the tract is important to avoid recurrence.

A simple midline incision gives good access to remove the cyst but a visible scar. Lifting up the whole nose gives scars buried inside the nose but difficult access if the cyst is deep. A compromise in some children is an incision on the side of the nose and up into the middle part of the eyebrow.