Cystic teratoma of the head: Diagnosis pitfalls

Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of fetal maxillofacial teratoma: Two case reports

BACKGROUND

Facial teratoma is a rare benign tumor that accounts for about 1.6% of all teratomas and can be diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound (US). The purpose of this report was to describe our experience with the diagnosis of fetal facial teratoma by prenatal US at second trimester to provide a reference for clinical diagnosis of fetal maxillofacial teratoma.

CASE SUMMARY

We present two cases of patients with abnormal fetal facial findings on US at second trimester of pregnancy in our department. Case 1 was a 31-year-old G3 P1 + 1 female, with US revealing a heterogeneous echogenicity of 32 mm × 20 mm × 31 mm on the fetal face, most of it located outside the oral cavity and filling the root of the oral cavity. Case 2 was a 29-year-old G1P0 female, with fetal head and neck US revealing a cystic-solid echo mass measuring 42 mm × 33 mm × 44 mm, the upper edge of the lesion reaching the palate and filling the oral cavity. The contours of the lesions were visualized using three-dimensional (3D) US imaging. Both patients decided to give up treatment. Biopsies of the lesions were performed after induction of labor, and diagnosed as maxillofacial teratoma.

CONCLUSION

Fetal maxillofacial teratomas can be diagnosed by US in early pregnancy, allowing parents to expedite treatment decisions.

Post-auricular teratoma in an HIV-exposed newborn

Teratomas in the neonatal age group are mostly benign at first, and the common site is the sacrococcygeal region. They are rarely associated with HIV infection. We report a case of an HIV-exposed newborn with a congenital teratoma at the post-auricular site who developed an infection. Early intervention by total surgical resection will prevent complications such as infections and malignant transformation. A term baby was delivered spontaneously by an HIV-positive mother who was on her regular medications. Prenatal ultrasound carried out in the third trimester showed a cyst swelling on the right post-auricular region. Radiological imaging and the histopathological result revealed a congenital teratoma. A wide major excision with preservation of the facial nerve was performed at the age of 8 weeks. Post-auricular teratomas are the rarest anatomical location and the prevalence of malignant transformation from benign is very low. If left untreated, this tumour is associated with high mortality and malignant transformation rates. An early complete surgical excision allows a good result with a low risk of complications and recurrence.

Mature cystic teratoma of the neck misdiagnosed at cystic hygroma; Case report

BACKGROUND

Teratomas arise from primordial germ cells which arrest during its migration from the hindgut allantois the gonads during the first weeks of gestational life, they may occur in both gonadal and extra-gonadal locations. They occur in 1/40,000 live births. The most common anatomical locations are the sacro-coccygeal region and the ovary, neck teratomas constituted about 1.5%. Malignant transformation has been reported.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 2-year-old boy presented with a gradually enlarging mass in the left side of the neck causing stridor and difficulties in respiration especially during sleep, the parents noticed difficulties during swallowing. The mass was misdiagnosed as cystic hygroma and the patient underwent 2 sessions of sclerotherapy with no improvement. Clinical examination showed a large mass in the left side of the neck which was multilobulated causing tracheal shift to the opposite side. There were no signs of inflammations over the mass. CT-scan showed evidence of enhancing multi-cystic lesion with multiple flecks of calcification. Complete surgical resection was done successfully and the histopathological study of the mass showed mature elements of ectodermal, mesodermal, and ectodermal germinal layers which was consistent with mature cystic teratoma. The follow up showed no postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Mature cystic teratoma of the neck is very rare and may be difficult to be differentiated both clinically and radiologically from other neck masses. The accurate diagnosis must be made before any kind of treatment is started. Complete surgical resection is the main management option and required to decrease the recurrence.