Dermoid cysts are rare benign tumours, they represent the simplest form of teratoma. Approximately seven per cent affect the head and neck region, within this region they are frequently encountered in the area of the lateral eyebrow, the orbit and the nose. A case of a 17-year-old girl who developed a rapidly growing facial swelling due to an infratemporal fossa dermoid cyst is presented. A review of the literature using Medline has not revealed any previous reports of similar cases. The lesion was completely excised using a lateral approach to the infratemporal fossa.

Hydatid cysts in the cervical region are extremely rare. We report herein a case with a hydatid cyst that was primarily located in the posterior cervical triangle without any pulmonary or hepatic involvement. A hydatid cyst of the neck should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lesions in the cervical region, in endemic areas, so as to avoid any dangerous complications such as contamination and a fatal anaphylactic reaction.

Glomus tumours can present in several sites in the head and neck. A red mass in the middle ear, visible on otoscopy generally indicates a glomus tympanicum or glomus jugulare. We present photographic and radiologic evidence of such a lesion arising from the course of the intra-tympanic facial nerve, the Fallopian canal, and review the differential diagnoses.