Teratoma in a newborn: an unusual cause of airway obstruction

We report the case of a newborn girl who presented with an inspiratory strider and apneic episodes due to a mass in the oropharynx. On flexible pharyngo-laryngoscopy, it appeared that on inspiration this swelling, originating from the oropharynx, was sucked into the larynx, obstructing the airway. After intubation under flexible optic control the swelling was excised using the CO2-laser. Histopathological examination showed a teratoma of the oropharynx. The postoperative course was uneventful. Teratomas of the oropharynx are rare and are treated by surgical excision. If respiratory distress accompanies the lesion, priority must be given to securing the airway. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.