Mature Cystic Teratoma of the Ventral Tongue in an Infant: A Case Report

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.