Korean Journal of Perinatology  2008;19(4):398-401

A case of prenatally detected fetal scalp mass.

Young Sun KIM 1 ; Shin Young KIM ; Yeong Min LEE ; Ki Yeol YANG ; Ji Hyun HAN ; Eui JUNG

Affiliations

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Keywords

Extracranial mass; Scalp epidermoid cyst

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

Prenatal ultrasonographic appearance and Doppler characteristics of extracranial masses are variable, depending on the location, vasculature, amount of arteriovenous shunting, and degree of proliferation. Epidermoid cysts are found in a variety of locations around the skull and midface. They are thought to occur as a result of the persistence of ectodermal elements at sites of suture closure, neural tube closure, and diverticulation of the cerebral hemispheres. They contain ectoderm but no skin element. We experienced 33-year-old primigravida with fetal extracranial mass at 23 weeks gestation. We presumed that this extracranial mass was hemangioma. However, the mass was suspected as scalp epidermoid cyst on postnatal ultasonography.