Large inflamed facial cysts in teenagers

Abstract

Facial cysts are often classified as large if 1-5 cm and giant when exceeding 5 cm in size. 1-3 Giant facial cysts can grow to be larger than 10 cm and attach to skin or underlying structures, such as nerves. 1 Inflamed large or giant cysts of the face represent a diagnostic and therapeutic quandary, as they can appear infected. Confirmation of lesion extent has been accomplished using MRI or ultrasound as described in the surgical literature. 3,4 Excision has been a leading therapy for giant facial cysts, though with high risk of recurrence and potential for scarring. 1 Cutibacterium acnes is believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of cystic acne through triggered inflammatory pathways. 5 We describe a case series of adolescents with large facial cysts, some of which were related to C acnes.

Innovative Use of a Disposable Syringe Barrel as a Device to Drain a Cyst

“…As per conventional practice, cysts are drained by manual vertical pressure with hands after making a nick/hole with a surgical blade or needle. Unfortunately, manual vertical pressure with hands is not possible at all sites, and sometimes the evacuated pus causes soiling of the surrounding skin and spurts on the attending physician, thereby creating a mess (1,2). There is also the contamination of the pus material in cases where it has to be sent for microbiological examination.…”