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Multiple steatocystomas: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Multiple steato-cystomas (synonyms: steatocystomatosis, sebocystomatosis, congenital sebaceous cysts).
Causes and pathogenesis of multiple steatocysts. To date, the embryogenesis of sebocystomatosis has not been fully understood and remains a matter of controversy. A hundred years ago, many dermatologists regarded lesions as fatty or retention cysts. Some authors believe that cysts are formed as a result of excessive keratinization leading to a delay in the secretion of sebaceous glands. At present, immunogenetic studies have allowed to reject the concept of "retention cysts". It is believed that these formations have a non-woidal nature (genodermatosis) and are transmitted by an autosomal dominant type. Cystic formations of non-vernal origin include milium, dermoid, epidermal and sebaceous cysts. In clinical and morphological terms, they are benign (dermoid) tumors. Family cases in several generations are described.
Symptoms of multiple steatocysts. Stemocystomatosis often begins at an early age. Men and women are affected approximately equally. The disease is clinically manifested by the formation of multiple tumor elements (retention cysts) with a diameter of 0.5 to 2 cm. They rise above the skin, have a spherical shape, soft elastic consistency and a smooth surface. Skin color is usually not changed or has a yellowish tinge. Eruptions are often located on the face, scalp, shoulders, trunk, chest, back, hips, scrotum.
Tumors are soldered to the upper layer of the skin and are well mobile with it. When they are opened, a dense yellowish sebaceous mass without odor is allocated, which in its chemical composition resembles the blood lipids.
The disease proceeds chronically; sometimes there is a degeneration into the basal cell epithelium.
Histopathology. The cyst consists of the inner epithelial and outer connective tissue layers. The granular layer is absent. In the sebaceous glands there is no occlusion of the follicle or duct of the sebaceous gland. The histological structure is reminiscent of atheroma.
Differential diagnosis is carried out with fatty dermoid cysts, cysts in youthful acne and epidermal cysts.
Treatment of multiple steatocysts. Surgical excision of large tumors is performed.
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