Prevelence of dermoid cyst in congenital midline craniofacial masses in paediatric population"A case series study in tertiary care hospital.

Background: Dermoid cyst is one of the congenital craniofacial masses, most commonly occurring in pediatric population. This study will help us to know the magnitude of dermoid cysts in midline craniofacial masses in children.Objective: To determine the prevalence of dermoid cysts in midline craniofacial masses in pediatric population in tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: This case series study was conducted at Department of Neurosurgery, Lady Reading Hospital(MTI) Peshawar, Pakistan from March 2016 to February 2019. A total of 52 patients with midline craniofacial masses were studied. After obtaining permission from hospital ethical committee and taking consent from patients included in the study, dermoid cysts in midline craniofacial masses was diagnosed on the basis of histopathology report done in our hospital laboratory. Results: The mean and standard deviation of age was 4.15±3.84years in patients with midline congenital craniofacial masses. Out of 52 patients with midline congenital craniofacial masses, 33(63.5%) patients were from the age group 1-5 years. Out of 52 patients having midline congenital craniofacial masses, 23(44.2%) were females and 29(55.8%) were males. 33 (63.5%) out of 52 patients with midline congenital craniofacial masses resided in urban areas. Out of 52 midline congenital craniofacial masses, 16 (30.8%) were dermoid cysts on histopathological report. Conclusion: Dermoid cyst is a common congenital midline craniofacial mass and is more common in males and urban population. Key words: Midline craniofacial masses, dermoid cyst.