Diagnosis, management, and follow-up of congenital head and neck teratomas.
OBJECTIVE
To describe our clinical experience with congenital teratomas of the head and neck.


METHODS
A retrospective review of the six patients as well as a review of the literature in the setting of academic referral centers.


METHODS
In six infants with teratomas, four in the cervical region and two arising from the nasopharynx, surgical excision of all tumors was performed. Outcome measures were clinical and radiographic follow-up and the use of a-fetoprotein (AFP) for postoperative monitoring.


RESULTS
There was no recurrence of teratomas.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical excision is the treatment for congenital teratomas. Postoperative monitoring for recurrences should include AFP levels in difficult cases.
April
M M
MM
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York, USA.
Ward
R F
RF
Garelick
J M
JM
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013724:Teratoma / Q000151:congenital / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*