Dermoid cyst

[BabyBumpy]

NC for this one as it's a bit identifying.

DS2, 7 months, has just been diagnosed with a dermoid cyst on his eyebrow. We first noticed it when he was about 8 weeks old and it seems to be growing with him, proportionally (so definitely bigger but not growing scary fast).

After going round the houses (GP, paediatrics referral, registrar, ultrasound, and consultant last week, the consultant (who I really liked) is of the view that it needs to come out.

Because of where it is, she worries that leaving it has the potential to mess with the way his face develops, could get in the way of his vision and, as she put it 'he doesn't need a bump on his face'.

From research this seems like the sensible thing to do, and we're on board. She is referring him but wasn't 100% clear yet where she would be referring him to - I got the feeing it was another hospital but it would depend on whether she was referring to paediatric plastics or a different speciality.

Does anyone have experience with this? I am trying very hard to be cool and relaxed about it - it sounds like a very simple and routine procedure - but at the same time they'll be cutting open my baby's face.

We're in SW London, and I'm curious where we might be referred to - Google suggests the Evelina or GOSH, but I'd be keen to hear the experiences of others.

Thank you!

Hi. My Ds had exactly the same. A small knot above his left eyebrow. We got a gp referral at about same age as you and they kept an eye on it for 12 months or so.

We were looked after at a London hospital but not a speciality one. And was under Opthamology as close to his eye. Eventually at c18 months they decided to do an MRI to have a look. Pleased they did as actually growing much more behind the bone (I think dermoids are bits of flesh that get caught as bones fuse - but I'm a layman!). Anyway, he ended up having it out under general a few months later. 4 years on the scar is barely noticeable and he remembers nothing about it. Had a couple of weeks looking like a boxer who'd done 10 rounds but no after effects. Let me know if you have more questions. All the best to your little boy. X

My Ds has a cyst in the same place but the doctors won't do anything about it. I noticed it when he was about 6 months old and going back over photos you can see when it appeared.

I pushed for a paed referral and the registrar wasn't concerned and while we were there it was clinically photographed.

It's still there despite them saying it'll probably go away (I think this is unlikely!) and I've been wondering if I should take it up again with the GP, because he's 3 and a half now.

So I'm watching with interest in afraid, with nothing useful to add.

My DD had her's removed at 18 months. Like you, it was first noticed at a few months old, monitored and then it was decided to take it out. Our consultant explained that the like to wait until at least a year old before giving the general. But the do like to remove them before crazy, rushing around toddler time because if the cyst gets bumped and bursts, that can be really rather unpleasant.

We were seen as part of the Ophthalmology dept of our local biggish hospital. DD went in early morning, went down to theatre by 10am, back after no more than an hour. Was then sent home that evening. All was fine but she was very bruised afterwards. Two black eyes came out the following day. But this is apparently a rare side effect.

She is now 5 and has a v tiny scar which is covered by her eyebrow. Despite the bruising, I would still do it again as I was very worried that it would burst and lead to a nasty infection.

In your location, you may have lots of options. St George's or Kings. It might not be a specialist children's hospital as the procedure is fairly routine.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences - really reassuring. Finola that's really interesting as DS starts nursery in October, when he turns 1, and I'll admit I was worried about it getting bumped/hit in the hurly burly of nursery/learning to walk and unlike his older brother DS2 has absolutely zero fear.

DoIt, our registrar was very much like that - a bit vague, it'll probably go away on its own, etc. The consultant could not have been more different and was very clear that it isn't going anywhere and could pose problems down the track.

Finola and csmudge, apart from bruising what was recovery like for your wee ones?

Absolutely fine. He was sick when he came round from the GA but we were home by 4pm having gone in at 7am. I was worried about the nil by mouth from midnight but he took it in his stride.

I can't remember how long he was off nursery for, but couldn't have been more than a week. Stitches were dissolvable. Think this photo was a day or two after.

That's reassuring! And he is just the cutest.

Aaand I've just noticed that I seriously messed up the whole name changing thing.

My DD had one under her eye, after she had a accident and needed stitches there. She had it fixed about 3 months ago by a plastic surgeon at the same time she got her adenoids out. Looks perfect. Quick easy surgery. Unfortunately it needs to be gone as they do grow and can get infected and cause problems

You may get referred to Georges if your in SW London too.