J Korean Soc Radiol.  2021 Mar;82(2):382-392. 10.3348/jksr.2019.0200.

Sonographic Appearance of Steatocystoma: An Analysis of 14 Pathologically Confirmed Lesions

• Yoon H
• Kang Y
• Park H
• Ahn JM
• Lee E
• Lee JW
• Kang HS

• KMID: 2514755
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jksr.2019.0200

Abstract

Purpose
To evaluate the ultrasonographic characteristics of steatocystomas focusing on the features that aid in differentiating them from epidermal inclusion cysts and lipomas.
Materials and Methods
The ultrasonographic findings of 14 histologically proven steatocystomas in 10 patients were retrospectively reviewed. The following features were assessed: the layer of involvement, shape, margin, echogenicity, posterior acoustic features, and the presence of a visible wall or intralesional striations. The findings were compared with those of subcutaneous lipomas and epidermal inclusion cysts to identify those findings that aid in the differential diagnosis of steatocystomas.
Results
The majority of steatocystomas appeared as a subcutaneous mass (n = 6, 42.9%) or a mass involving both the dermal and subcutaneous layers (n = 6, 42.9%). Steatocystomas exhibited a well-defined smooth margin (n = 12, 85.7%) and homogeneous echogenicity (n = 9, 64.3%), and showed no specific posterior acoustic features (n = 9, 64.3%). The most important features that differentiated steatocystomas from epidermal inclusion cysts were a homogeneous internal echotexture (p = 0.009) and absent or less prominent posterior acoustic enhancement (p < 0.001). The features that distinguished steatocystomas from lipomas were the margin (p < 0.001), echogenicity (p = 0.034), internal echotexture (p = 0.004), and the absence of intralesional striations (p < 0.001).
Conclusion
Steatocystomas appeared as well-defined homogeneous masses with mild or absent posterior acoustic enhancement.

Keyword

Steatocystoma Multiplex; Soft Tissue Neoplasm; Ultrasonography