A fetus with a mass in the oral cavity: a rare case of oral eruption cyst
Abstract BackgroundAn ultrasonographic examination is widely used for prenatal screening of abnormal findings. The approach to the oral cavity of the fetus requires special attention because many aspects are unique and peculiar to this period of life. Obstetricians and pediatricians should be aware of the characteristics of normal patterns and be prepared to make a correct diagnosis. Congenital eruption cysts(EC) are rarely observed in fetuses and newborns, because at this stage of life, tooth eruption is unusual. Case presentationWe report a 26-year-old woman who had a sonographic examination at 27+5 weeks of pregnancy that showed a fetal oral cyst. During an ultrasound examination, we detected a hyperechogenic solid mass with a homogeneous texture. This mass was well circumscribed with a layer of anechoic area with no abnormal vessel. The cyst appeared to originate from the body of left mandible. Real-time assessment showed that the cyst was fixed and confined to inferior maxilla. Her neonate was finally diagnosed with EC. ConclusionUltrasound can reveal the distinctive features of oral cysts lesion and can be useful for the differential diagnosis. The treatment was required mainly by the symptomatology of the newborn. Therefore, prenatal ultrasonography could be used to conjecture the position and size of the mass, which is considered to be useful for localized and qualitative diagnosis prior to afterbirth treatment. Our findings indicate that ultrasound is an appropriate diagnostic tool to identify antenatal EC.