Floor Of The Mouth Dermoid

A case is reported which shows differences in the epithelial lining of the cysts found followed by the differential diagnosis and treatment.

Floor of the mouth dermoid.

A classification of these cysts based on histopathologic findings is presented in this article and it is suggested that the worddermoid be retained as a clinical term for all these developmental cysts of the floor of the mouth. Generally they present during the 2nd 3rd decade of life with no sex preponderance 1 5. Although these lesions typically manifest during the second or third decade of life. Dermoid cysts of the floor of the mouth are discussed as to their embryology development and classification.

Dermoid cysts of the floor of the mouth in the infant are rarely encountered although the aetiology is mainly embryological. The dermoid cysts of the mouth are most frequently located on the median line of the mouth floor most likely caused by the retention of the germinal epithelium during the growth of the mandible and hyoid branchial arches and are considered rare 2 3 5 10. Floor of mouth dermoid cysts account for 1 6 of all dermoid cysts 2 and they usually present as a midline symmetrical slowly enlarging lesion. Meyer proposes the classification of the cysts based on the histological differentiation of the elements of the cyst wall.

Cysts superficial to geniohyoid may cause posterosuperior displacement of the tongue dysphonia dysphagia 3 or airway obstruction 4.