Massive dermoid cysts of the floor of the mouth in children.
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.
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*