Palatal teratoma associated with cleft palate- A rare case report

Abstract

Teratomas are benign tumours that are commonly seen in the sacrococcygeal region and in ovaries. It consists of cells from the layers of ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. Localised teratomas in the head and neck region are rare in origin. It can be in the size of a small polyp or it may grow as an extension to the skull base. This rare case report highlights the presence of congenital teratoma in the palatine region of a child. The palatine processes and the median nasal septum have failed to fuse, thus leading to a development of cleft palate in the child. This failure of fusion may be related to the presence of the epignathus obstructing the oropharyngeal connection. The diagnosis of teratoma was confirmed radiologically and histopathologically. The lesion was surgically excised and the cleft palate defect was corrected in a single stage surgical procedure.