DERMOID
CYST OF FLOOR
OF MOUTH
cysts are of congenital origin and are closely related to teratomas, tumors containing all the primary histologic types of tissue. Accordingly, all dermoid cysts contain some of the following structures or tissues: hair and hair follicles, teeth, nails, sweat glands, brain tissue, and many other structures. Dermoid cysts occur principally in the testes and ovaries, although they may be found at any fusion point of the human body. Shore’ roported only two dermoid cysts arising in the floor of the mouth of 54,000 snrgica.1 specimens examined. Meyer* has reported four such cases. It is very rare, therefore, to find a dermoid cyst arising in this location. The signs presented by this type of cyst are painless swelling in the floor of t,he mouth, upward displacement of the tongue, sensation of fullness in the mouth, and sometimes dyspnea.
D
ERMOID
CASE
REPORT
The patient, a healthy 22-year-old man with some difficulty in speech and swelling in the floor of the mouth (Fig. l), was admitted to Mimiya Hospital on March 14, 1957, fol excision of a tumor in the floor of the mouth. The physical and laboratory examinations were essentially negative, and the past history was noncontributory. On the day following admission, the patient was taken to the operating room where, under local anesthesia, a transverse incision was made in the floor of the mouth and the The thick membrane of mucous membrane was mobilized to expose the cyst membrane. and the excision was carried out by sharp and the cyst was grasped with Allis forceps, The sac contained some fluid and a considerable amount of blunt dissection (Fig. 2). The deep tissues were closed with catgut, and the mucous cheesy material and hair. 000 black silk (Fig. 3). membrane of the floor of the mouth was sutured with interrupted The recovery was uneventful. Pathologic
Examination.-
Gross : The cyst measured 3.5 cm. in diameter. granular, but the contents of. the cyst had been previously taken through different levels. Puerto
*Oral Surgeon Rico School
Attending, San of Medicme.
Juan
City
Hospital,
539
The inner evacuated.
Department
lining was somewhat Several sections were
of Surgery,
University
of
DONE8
Fig.
2.
Fig.
3.
z”l;gr ;2
DERMOID
CYST OF FLOOR OF MOUTH
541
Microscopic: The cyst showed stratified squamous epithelial lining producing abundant keratin beneath this lining; in areas there were numerous sebaceous glands and occasional hair follicles (Fig. 4). Diagnosis:
Dermoid cyst of floor of mouth.
Fig.
4.
CONCLUSION
Complete
excision
is the treatment
of choice for dermoid cyst.
REFERENCES
1. Shore, B. R. : Sublingual Epidermoid Cysts, Ann. Surg. 108: 305, 1938. 2. Meyer, I.: Dermoid Cysts (Dermoids) of the Floor of the Mouth, ORAL SURG., ORAL MED. &ORAL PATH. 8: 1149,1955.