Neonatal cervical teratoma: Case report

Cervical teratomas are extremely rare tumours. Surgery of these mostly benign malformations is very challenging for a multidisciplinary team. A single case of a newborn, who was imminently prenatally diagnosed with a neck mass, is presented. After delivery the patient was transferred to neonatal intensive care unit and intubation was performed. A rapid growth of the mass required early surgery and removal of the neck mass was performed on the third day post delivery. Histological investigation showed an immature teratoma. The postoperative period was complicated by hypothyroidism. Due to severe laryngo-tracheomalacia tracheostomy was required when the baby was 2 weeks old. Further development has been without any sign of recurrence (12 months). On the basis of this case differential diagnosis, therapy and outcome is discussed. © Springer-Verlag 2006.