DISCUSSION
An ovarian dermoid cyst (DC) or a benign cystic teratoma
is a benign tumor descending from germinal
cells.1 In approximately 80% of the cases, this lesion
occurs in young women (20 to 30 years of age) and represents
18% to 20% of benign ovarian tumors. In most
cases, dermoid cysts are unilateral, but they are bilateral
in 10% to 15% of cases.2,3
Dermoid cysts can be composed of elements
descending from all three of the germinal layers, but in
ovarian DCs, ectodermic differentiation frequently
occurs. Typically, the diameter of an ovarian DC is
15 cm. On histologic examination,
lipidic substance, hair, sebaceous secretions, hair follicles,
and eggshell calciÞcations are seen in 50% of cases;
real organoid structures (teeth, fragments of bone) in
30% of the cases.
Frequently, symptoms arise acutely with abdominal
and pelvic pain, and, in 15% of cases, the symptoms are
associated with menstrual abnormalities. Torsion is
the most common complication, whereas rupture and