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Case 4: Painless post auricular swelling

This man presented with a mass.

1. What is the differential diagnosis?.

Includes:
sebaceous cyst
lymphadenopathy
lipoma
inclusion dermoid
dermoid cyst
simple cyst


The differential is large. However it can be narrowed by considering the lumps physical characteristics. It is smooth, does not involve skin, there is no punctum, and if felt it is soft, fluctuant and importantly is quite transilluminable.

2. Further treatment?

A simple cyst would be uncommon in this area so it was excised and submitted for histopathology - this showed a simple cyst.