A NASOPHARYNGEAL DERMOID CAUSING NEONATAL AIRWAY-OBSTRUCTION

A case of neonatal respiratory distress due to a pedunculated nasophar yngeal dermoid is presented with its MRI assessment. The dermoid was r emoved without complications. Nasopharyngeal teratomas are uncommon, c onsisting of tissues from all three germ layers with varying degrees o f differentiation. Symptoms arise during the neonatal period and are a ssociated with airway obstruction. MRI can be performed for contempora ry assessment. The first goal of management is to establish a safe and protected airway using complete surgical excision. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.