Epidermoid Cyst of the Soft Palate in a Geriatric Cat: A Case Report.
4 affiliations
- 124h Jamsil ON Animal Medical Center, Seoul 05556, Republic of Korea.
- 2Seocho I:UM Animal Hospital, Seoul 06643, Republic of Korea.
- 3Academic Committee, Korean Society of Feline Medicine (KSFM), Seoul 08531, Republic of Korea.
- 4College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea.
Abstract
Epidermoid cysts within the oral cavity are rare in cats. Here, we report the clinical, imaging, surgical, and histopathological findings of an epidermoid cyst originating from the soft palate of a geriatric cat. A 17-year-old neutered female domestic shorthaired cat presented with mild hypersalivation and dysphagia. Computed tomography revealed a well-circumscribed, minimally contrast-enhancing mass measuring 8.5 × 9.9 × 10.0 mm arising from the right distal soft palate. The mass protruded predominantly into the oropharynx and caused mild nasopharyngeal displacement, without evidence of bone invasion or middle ear involvement. Surgical excision was performed, and histopathological examination revealed a cyst lined with keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium containing keratinaceous debris, which was consistent with a benign epidermoid cyst. Hypersalivation and dysphagia were no longer observed after excision, although this improvement was documented for only approximately 24 h before severe gastrointestinal dysfunction and recurrent seizures developed. Although repeated oral mucosal irritation was considered a possible contributing factor, the congenital or acquired origin of the cyst could not be definitively determined. This case highlights that epidermoid cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the oral cavity in cats.
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BibTeX
@article{choi2026epidermoid,
title = {{Epidermoid Cyst of the Soft Palate in a Geriatric Cat: A Case Report.}},
author = {Hyehyun Choi and Kyung Ah Kim and Da Eun Lee and Juwon Lee and Jihun Kim and Hyomi Jang and Dong-In Jung},
journal = {Veterinary sciences},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/vetsci13101064},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42944159},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Epidermoid Cyst of the Soft Palate in a Geriatric Cat: A Case Report.
AU - Hyehyun Choi
AU - Kyung Ah Kim
AU - Da Eun Lee
AU - Juwon Lee
AU - Jihun Kim
AU - Hyomi Jang
AU - Dong-In Jung
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/09
JO - Veterinary sciences
DO - 10.3390/vetsci13101064
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42944159
AB - Epidermoid cysts within the oral cavity are rare in cats. Here, we report the clinical, imaging, surgical, and histopathological findings of an epidermoid cyst originating from the soft palate of a geriatric cat. A 17-year-old neutered female domestic shorthaired cat presented with mild hypersalivation and dysphagia. Computed tomography revealed a well-circumscribed, minimally contrast-enhancing mass measuring 8.5 × 9.9 × 10.0 mm arising from the right distal soft palate. The mass protruded predominantly into the oropharynx and caused mild nasopharyngeal displacement, without evidence of bone invasion or middle ear involvement. Surgical excision was performed, and histopathological examination revealed a cyst lined with keratinizing stratified squamous epithelium containing keratinaceous debris, which was consistent with a benign epidermoid cyst. Hypersalivation and dysphagia were no longer observed after excision, although this improvement was documented for only approximately 24 h before severe gastrointestinal dysfunction and recurrent seizures developed. Although repeated oral mucosal irritation was considered a possible contributing factor, the congenital or acquired origin of the cyst could not be definitively determined. This case highlights that epidermoid cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the oral cavity in cats.
SN - 2306-7381
ER -