Epignathus teratoma with bifid tongue and median glossal salivary mass: report of a case

Abstract

h i t n c s w w i p s r c o s s a c eratomas are defined as neoplasms composed of ultiple tissues, including tissues not normally found n the organ in which they arise, and occur in about 1 n every 4,000 births. They occur most commonly in he sacrococcygeal region, followed by the ovaries.1 pignathus teratoma represents a rare group of conenital neoplasms in the head and neck, with the ongenital oral epignathus teratoma occurring in aproximately 1:35,000 to 1:200,000 live births.2 This ccounts for 2% to 9% of all teratomas. The clinical resentation of this tumor varies depending on size nd location in the oronasopharynx. Giant epignathi ave been reported to occupy the entire oropharynx, ausing immediate postnatal death from respiratory rrest.3 Large teratomas with intracranial extension an present difficult management problems.4 Conersely, teratomas can manifest as small polyps within he nasal vestibule or as space-occupying masses ithin a clefted palate.5 These are occasionally undignosed at birth and become evident only during eriods of growth. These tumors frequently accomany other anomalies within the head and neck such s cleft palates, bifid tongues, and double tongues.6