A superficial nasal dermoid cyst excised through a novel horizontal zig-zag incision in a 49-year-old man

Abstract A dermoid cyst of the nose is a relatively rare anomaly seen normally in the first few years of life. They are distinct to dermoid cysts located elsewhere in the body as there is a potential for extension to intracranial structures. Presentation in adulthood is rare and often because of a missed diagnosis in childhood. We present the case of an adult man with a superficial nasal dermoid cyst presenting over the nasion. The operation was performed by direct excision at the nasion with a novel modified horizontal zig-zag skin incision, instead of the traditional vertical excision, with a good cosmetic result. The cyst was radically excised and there was no evidence of extension intracranially. The case is discussed in relation to the current surgical literature in both children and adults.