Cyst Removed From Clinton’s Neck

An apparently benign cyst was surgically removed from President Clinton’s neck in a minor 12-minute operation, Michael D. McCurry, the White House spokesman, said Wednesday night.

The cyst, an ingrown pimple known as an inclusion cyst, was near Clinton’s left ear at the jaw line. It was removed under local anesthesia by a dermatologist, Dr. David Corbett, in the doctor’s office at the White House while Clinton, who is 50, was described as alert, awake and talking about golf.

The cyst was detected at Clinton’s annual medical checkup in May. At that time, no date was set to remove it.

On Sunday, White House chief of staff Leon Panetta said the cyst would be removed after the November election. But, McCurry said Wednesday, Dr. Connie Mariano, the White House doctor, had noticed last week during the Democratic convention that the cyst had grown and advised that it be removed as soon as possible.