DISCUSSION

Oropharyngeal teratomas represent 2% of all teratomas. Epignathus is a term used to describe teratomas protruding from the mouth. These tumors arise from the soft or hard palates in the region of Rathkes pouch. They generally fill the oral cavity and protrude out through the mouth. Pharyngeal teratomas arise from the posterior aspect of the nasopharynx. Cheek is the least mentioned site of teratoma in literature. Even after extensive search we could retrieve only three cases of teratoma arising from cheek or buccal mucosa [1-3].

Although most of these tumors are benign, they frequently cause significant airway and esophageal obstruction in the perinatal period and thus potentially fatal. Large tumors can interfere with fetal swallowing and produce polyhydramnios, cause severe respiratory distress at birth, and may lead to stillbirth [4].

Prenatal ultrasound is a reliable diagnostic tool for detecting these lesions as early as 21 week gestation, thereby allowing for careful arrangement of the time, mode, and place of delivery. Approximately one third of prenatally diagnosed cases are complicated by maternal polyhydramnios resulting in high incidence of preterm labor and delivery. Serial amnio-reduction may be required to prevent this complication [5,6].

At birth, death may result from tracheal compression or deviation and inability to intubate. Prenatal diagnosis permits cesarean section and establishment of an airway before the cord is clamped. This is done by employing an EXIT (ex utero intrapartum treatment) procedure. Because precipitous airway obstruction may occur due to hemorrhage inside the tumor, tracheal intubation is indicated in all patients, regardless of the presence or absence of symptoms [5-7].

Footnotes

Source of Support: Nil

Conflict of Interest: None declared