EMBRYOGENESIS OF ENTEROCYSTOMAS-ENTERIC DUPLICATION CYSTS OF THE TONGUE

Enteric duplication cysts of the tongue are unusual lesions that may b e confused with dermoid cysts, hemangiomas, lingual thyroid remnants, ranulas, and cystic hygromas. Two cases of lingual enteric duplication s are reported in a 5-year-old boy and a 4-month-old boy. In the first case the cyst was lined by gastric-type epithelium, and in the second by colonic-type epithelium. Theories of pathogenesis of enteric dupli cations include development from small epithelial inclusions trapped d uring fusion of primordial tissues, from incomplete coalescence of lac unas that form between epithelial cells of the solid core of the devel oping gut, from persistence of epithelial buds within the wall of the bowel, or from nests of trapped entodermal cells. However, each of the se theories presents problems with respect to lingual enteric cysts, a s possible trapping of epithelium by fusing primordia does not explain the presence of heterotopic mucosa, and the tongue does not develop i n the same manner as the hollow viscera. It becomes apparent therefore that enteric duplication cysts are a heterogeneous group of lesions t hat share some morphologic features, but perhaps not the same pathogen esis.