Congenital cervical teratomas: Diagnostic, management and postoperative variability

• Published in: Auris, nasus, larynx Vol. 33; no. 1; pp. 107 - 111
• Main Authors: Shine, Neville P., Sader, Chady, Gollow, Ian, Lannigan, Francis J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-03-2006
• Subjects: Adult; Airway obstruction; Congenital; Diagnostic Imaging; EXIT procedure; Fatal Outcome; Female; Head and Neck Neoplasms - congenital; Head and Neck Neoplasms - diagnosis; Head and Neck Neoplasms - surgery; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Postoperative Complications; Prenatal Diagnosis; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn - etiology; Retrospective Studies; Teratoma; Teratoma - congenital; Teratoma - diagnosis; Teratoma - surgery; Teratoma; EXIT procedure; Congenital; Airway obstruction
• ISSN: 0385-8146; 1879-1476
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2005.07.003

To review the diagnosis, management and outcomes of congenital cervical teratomas presenting to a tertiary referral centre.
Retrospective chart review of three cases presenting within an 18-month period.
Of the three patients in this series, one was diagnosed antenatally. The remaining cases were diagnosed at birth. The antenatally diagnosed patient underwent an EXIT procedure whereby the airway was secured by tracheostomy. This patient subsequently died 30
min after separation from the materno-foetal circulation. Neither of the other two cases had any neonatal respiratory distress, despite having large tumours. Both patients had neonatal surgical excision of the teratomas performed. Both patients had postoperative respiratory distress, requiring intervention. Both patients made a full recovery. No recurrence has been reported.
The antenatal diagnosis of large congenital cervical teratomas allows for planned intervention by experienced personnel. A successful outcome may not be obtained. All patients that undergo surgical excision of these tumours must be closely observed for post-operative respiratory distress, even in the absence of pre-operative symptoms.