A case of epignathus tumor causing obstruction of upper airway immediately after birth / 대한주산의학회잡지

ABSTRACT

Teratoma originate from one or more germ cell layer and commonly arise from sacrococcygeal area in neonate. Teratoma arising from the oropharyngeal cavity is called "epignathus tumor" and is extremely rare in neonate. Clinical manifestation of epignathus tumor vary from asymptomatic to severe respiratory distress symptom. It is reported that most of the tumor are benign in nature. Large teratoma can be diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography, but most cases were diagnosed with computed tomography or magnetic resonance image after birth. Prognosis is determined by the need for neonatal resuscitation for respiratory distress at the time of birth and the extent of tumor, involving large vessles, skull base or communication with the brain. We experienced a case of epignathus tumor in a neonate with severe respiratory distress immediately after birth, so that reported with review of the literature.