Congenital nasopharyngeal teratoma (epignathus) with airway obstruction

Abstract

Teratomas of the nasopharynx are rare in neonates, usually presenting in the neonatal period with frequency of the total 1 in 4000 live birth and derived from the upper jaw, palate and sphenoid bone. It usually protrudes through the mouth, leading to obstruction of the upper airway .Teratoma of the head and neck are most- ly benign neoplasm. In this article we are reporting a case of Epignathus associated with airway obstruction. A 40 day old male neonate was admitted with severe respiratory distress and nasopharyngeal mass protrude to the oral cavity prevented oral feeding. History of mild hydroaminious was positive. No other abnormali- ties were noted on physical examination. MRI of the head and neck revealed solid cystic mass with nasopharyngeal origin without intracranial extension. Mass was resected surgically and pathology revealed a mature teratoma dominantly composed of mature neuroglial elements and choroid plexus. Nasopharyngeal teratoma cases are interesting because of their obscure origin and unusual clinical presentation.surgical resection is the treatment of choice and should be done urgently in the case of airway ob- struction.