Journal article
Incidental Autopsy Finding of Intraosseous Dermoid Cyst With Craniosynostosis
The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology, v 46(3), pp 262-266
01 Sep 2025
PMID: 40227188
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
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 x 0.7 x 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.
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Details
- Title
- Incidental Autopsy Finding of Intraosseous Dermoid Cyst With Craniosynostosis
- Creators
- Sarah Waszyn (Corresponding Author) - Drexel UniversityMichael Belenky - Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
- Publication Details
- The American journal of forensic medicine and pathology, v 46(3), pp 262-266
- Publisher
- Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
- Number of pages
- 5
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Medicine
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001548097000009
- Other Identifier
- 991022197318804721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Medicine, Legal
- Pathology