[Classification of follicular cysts: epidermal cysts including Günther sebocystomatosis, steatocystoma multiplex and trichilemmal cysts].

The clinical and histopathological nomenclature of various follicle-derived cysts is confusing. A uniform terminology, based on histopathological criteria is proposed. Cysts may develop from vellus follicles, sebaceous follicles, and terminal hair follicles. The various sections from each follicle may give rise to various types of cysts: 1. the infundibulum to epidermal cysts (e.g. epidermal cysts, comedones, milia, and scrotal cysts); 2. the sebaceous ducts and sebaceous acini to steatocystoma multiplex; 3. the infraglandular portion of the infrainfundibulum to trichilemmal cysts (atheromas). A clinical variant of epidermal cysts, the scrotal cysts, at times incorrectly called sebocystomatosis Günther, is described in 10 patients. For all types of cysts clinical and histopathological guidelines are offered.