title: Massive dermoid cysts of the floor of the mouth in children.
abstract: Dermoid cysts of the floor of the mouth are very rare in children. True dermoid cysts occur in this site in less than 2% of all such cysts including those presenting in adults. Four massive (5-8 cm diameter) such cysts in children, which by virtue of their size threatened the airway, are reported. In the four cases reported, each demonstrated a distinct "stalk" inserting at the genial tubercle of the mandible and the cyst lay mostly superior to the mylohyoid muscle. This "stalk" provides a potential pitfall for the unwary surgeon who may leave a remnant if the "salk" is transected during removal and has not been previously reported. The embryologic origins of these large masses are uncertain and with the description of such a stalk would seem to be more complex than a simple developmental inclusion. The clinical presentations of these tumors and their possible pathogenesis are discussed.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003884:Dermoid Cyst / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009060:Mouth Floor; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*