The result is normal-appearing tissue in an abnormal location. As 2 suture lines of the skull close during embryonic development, dermal or epidermal elements are pinched off and form cysts, which are adjacent to the suture line. If the displacement is great, interference with vision by compression of the optic nerve may result, or ocular motility may be disturbed. A traumatically ruptured dermoid may result in dramatic orbital and periocular inflammation. Note that the tumors may appear or grow at any age.
Patients generally complain of a mass, which is visible in the orbital area.
Growth of these lesions is generally slow. In adults, dermoids may become symptomatic for the first time and grow considerably over 1 year. Based on this fact, some workers conclude that these lesions may be dormant for many years or have intermittent growth. Children The most common location is in the superior temporal aspect of the orbit. The mass is generally less than 1 cm in diameter, nontender, and oval-shaped.