Diagnosis and management of a large oropharyngeal teratoma (epignathus) in a twin pregnancy

Abstract

Epignathus refers to a teratoma of the oropharyngeal region composed of cells from the ectodermal, mesodermal, and endodermal layers. When it arises from the palate or pharynx and protrudes from the mouth it may result in life-threatening airway obstruction after birth [K. Izadi, M. Smith, M. Askari, D. Hackam, A.A. Hameed and J.P. Bradley, A patient with an epignathus: management of a large oropharyngeal teratoma in a newborn, J Craniofac Surg 14 (4) (2003), pp. 468–472]. The ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure maintains fetoplacental circulation for sufficient oxygenation in a fetus at risk for airway obstruction.