Yuelin Qin

Mature cystic teratomas most commonly arise from the ovaries and testes, but may also occur at extragonadal sites, with a relatively higher incidence in children. However, mature cystic teratomas located on the ventral surface of the tongue are exceedingly rare. We report a case of a 6-month-old female infant with a gradually enlarging oral mass since birth, causing feeding and breathing difficulties. The tumor was situated beneath the mucosal layer on the ventral tongue. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging suggested a sublingual gland cyst or dermoid cyst, but histopathological examination following surgical excision confirmed the diagnosis of mature cystic teratoma.

Objective: To investigate a minimally invasive treatment method for piriform sinus fistula during infection. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on children diagnosed with pyriform sinus fistula infection at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2022 to December 2024. All patients underwent ultrasound-guided puncture combined with endoscopic low-temperature plasma closure of the internal fistula. Successful treatment was defined as complete fistula closure following a single hospitalization and surgical procedure. Results: A total of 14 children (7 males and 7 females) were included, of whom 12 had left-sided lesions and 2 had right-sided lesions. In all 14 cases, the internal fistula scar in the piriform sinus healed well, exhibiting only slight mucosal edema. MRI findings showed significant reductions in cystic cavity size and relief of airway compression. Fiberoptic laryngoscopy confirmed closure of the internal fistula without evident tissue swelling. Postoperative dysphagia occurred in 4 patients but resolved gradually within 1 week. No complications related to recurrent or superior laryngeal nerve injuries, such as hoarseness or cough, were observed. During a follow-up period of 6 to 24 months, 1 patient experienced relapse, while the remaining patients exhibited no swelling or symptoms of respiratory compression. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided puncture combined with endoscopic low-temperature plasma closure is an effective, minimally invasive, and safe approach for the treatment of infected piriform sinus fistula. This method can serve as a minimally invasive therapeutic option during active infection.

Dermoid cysts, also known as mature cystic teratomas (MCTs), are congenital tumors that originate from all 3 germ layers. While commonly found in the ovary or testis, they are rare occurrences in the floor of the mouth. This case report describes a rare case of neonatal cleft palate with MCT of the floor of the mouth. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of the clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics, pathological findings, and surgical management strategies employed in this rare case to enhance clinicians’ knowledge regarding uncommon tumors in the head and neck of newborns. Through the discussion of this case, the importance of preoperative evaluation, rapid intraoperative diagnosis, and long-term postoperative follow-up is further emphasized.

Keratoacanthoma (KA) is a self-regressing cutaneous tumor sharing clinical and histopathological similarities with squamous cell carcinoma. It is relatively uncommon and presents diagnostic challenges, particularly in pediatric patients. This paper presents a case study of KA affecting the upper lip keratosis in a 6-year-old girl. Through a comprehensive analysis of the pathogenesis, differential diagnosis, and treatment approaches of KA in children based on existing literature, we aim to offer clinical insights and guidance for practice.

Hamartoma is a congenital benign lesion commonly found in the lungs, kidneys, colon, and other regions, but it is seldom seen in the oral cavity. Multiple hamartoma occurrences in the tongue are particularly rare. This article describes a 7-day-old female infant with multiple tongue tumors and a cleft palate, who had difficulty feeding and subsequently underwent tumor removal under general anesthesia. Nine months later, a cleft palate repair was performed. No genetic abnormalities were detected in the genetic testing. After the tumor removal, follow-ups were conducted every year to observe any recurrence of the tumors, the morphology and function of the tongue, and any systemic abnormalities. After 7 years of follow-up, there was no recurrence of the tumors, and the morphology and function of the tongue were normal, with no systemic diseases found. It is crucial to conduct multidisciplinary consultations for children diagnosed with multiple tongue hamartomas and to monitor their overall development while addressing oral lesions.

A bronchogenic cyst (BC) is a rare congenital cystic lesion, especially when located in the suprahyoid region of the anterior cervical front. We report a case of a male child who was misdiagnosed with a thyroglossal duct cyst due to the clinical presentation of a mass located near the anterior midline of the neck, in the region above the hyoid bone, which moved up and down with swallowing, characteristics consistent with a thyroglossal duct cyst. We excised the lesion under general anesthesia. Histopathological analysis revealed cartilage tissue, pseudostratified columnar epithelium of the cyst wall with cilia and mucous glands, finally diagnosing it as BC. BC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neck masses.

Congenital granular cell epulis (CGCE) is a rare disease, particularly when it affects multiple oral and maxillofacial regions. We present the case of a female neonate with 4 asymptomatic masses attached to the maxillary and mandibular gingiva as well as the tongue. Due to the size of the masses causing feeding and respiratory difficulties, lesion removal was performed under general anesthesia. Histopathological analysis revealed tightly arranged polygonal cells with abundant granular eosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, the cells were negative for Smur100 (S-100), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), cluster of differentiation (CD) 68, and Sry-related HMG box (SOX)-10, and positive for alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) and vimentin. The diagnosis of multiple CGCEs was established through clinical examinations, histomorphometrical, and immunohistochemical analyses. In conclusion, CGCE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intraoral lesions in neonates.