Simultaneous occurrence of sublingual dermoid cyst and oral alimentary tract cyst in an infant: a case report and review of the literature

Abstract

The simultaneous occurrence of sublingual dermoid cyst and oral alimentary tract cyst is very rare. A literature search revealed only two previous cases and one other, where a dermoid cyst was associated with a gastrointestinal microcyst in its cyst wall. We report a case of a six-week-old Caucasian boy, who presented with swelling of the tongue and floor of mouth, which interfered with his normal feeding and swallowing. The swelling was rapidly increasing in size and had become an airway threat. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed the presence of a lobulated lesion arising in the region of the floor of the mouth on the left and a further lobule which actually invaded the soft tissues of the inferior aspect of the tongue. These two cystic lesions were excised surgically via an intraoral approach and the infant made a complete recovery postoperatively, with resumption of normal feeding and swallowing. The differential diagnoses and approach to sublingual swellings are discussed and the importance of prompt treatment is emphasized.