Children will present frequently with unusual lumps and bumps as they grow. Thankfully, most of these conditions are benign and can be removed easily. Some of the diagnoses include a dermoid cyst, lipoma, pilomatrixoma, inclusion or sebaceous cyst, and mucocele, to name a few. Fortunately, these can be removed in a non-urgent fashion. And most patients and their parents elect to remove these lumps and bumps in order to get rid of an unsightly mass, contour problem, or to simply confirm the diagnosis.
However, there are times that surgically removing these lesions may be a more urgent matter. For example, if a mass is rapidly growing and creating a functional problem such as obstruction of vision or the ear canal, then addressing the problem will need to be done sooner than later. Also, if there is any question as to a possible malignant tumor, then the timetable for surgery is moved up.
Surgery to remove most lumps and bumps is relatively straightforward. Removal of a mass will leave a scar. However, the scar can be concealed or minimized in most instances. This is when the plastic surgeon you choose becomes an important decision-making point. Also, some masses may be rather large, deep, or difficult to remove without disrupting facial features or creating a secondary problem. Local skin flaps, meticulous surgical dissection, and an intimate understanding of normal facial anatomy are vital skills to have in these cases.
Dr. Panossian has spent over a decade addressing lumps and bumps of all kinds in both children and adults. If you or your child has an unusual mass on the face, body, or extremities, please call for a consultation today.
Why choose Dr Panossian
- He received his medical education at Tufts University School of Medicine.
- Graduated at the top of his class at UCLA, receiving Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude honors.
- Was accepted into an elite combined general surgery and plastic surgery residency at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
- Completed subspecialty training in craniofacial surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto and Harvard Medical School.
- Was mentored by Dr. Ron Zuker in the practice of facial paralysis reconstruction. This prestigious fellowship position was available to only one surgeon in the United States.
- Is affiliated with various charitable and educational organizations, including Operation Smile and Mending Kids.
- Is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the highly selective American Association of Plastic Surgeons, reserved for only a select group of individuals nationally who have demonstrated excellence in academic plastic surgery.
- Holds memberships in several other professional societies including the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery.
- He serves on the Board of Directors for Mending Kids and the Gondobay Manga Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of lives in Sierra Leone.
- Has been nominated by his peers annually since 2012 as a “Super Doctor.”
- Served as an expert medical consultant and appeared on The Doctors, Grey’s Anatomy, and Nip/Tuck.
- Has been featured as “Top Doctor” in US News and World Report, Pasadena Magazine, and Los Angeles Magazine.
Last modified by Dr. Andre Panossian
