Epignathus

Epignathus is a rare oropharyngeal teratoma. This lesion is usually diagnosed antenatally with ultrasound or after birth. Epignathus is a rare oropharyngeal teratoma. This lesion is usually diagnosed antenatally with ultrasound or after birth. The tumour arises from the palato-pharyngeal region around the basisphenoid. Over time it grows and protrudes out of the mouth. This lesion may be associated with polyhydramnios by preventing the fetus from swallowing the liquor. It may also be associated with a cleft lip and/or palate. The tumour may spread into the cranial cavity and destroy the brain. This lesion occurs in 1:35,000 to 200,000 pregnancies. It is more common in females (male: female ratio 1:3) Up to 2004 70 cases had been described in the literature.