Congenital sublingual teratoid cyst: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Head and neck dermoid cysts comprise less than 10% of all dermoid cysts. The sublingual location is very rare. One hypothesis for their etiology is that they arise from entrapment of epithelial debris or rests during the midline fusion of the first 2 branchial arches. They are classified as epidermoid, dermoid, and teratoid cysts. Sublingual cysts are slow-growing lesions generally seen in the second and third decades of life. They are rare in childhood. The cysts may interfere with swallowing and breathing. Rarely, they may show malignant transformation. Surgical extirpation is the treatment of choice.