Teratoma in the Neonate: An Unusual Cause of Airway Obstruction

Teratoma of the nasopharynx is a very rare lesion with a high mortality rate due to severe airway obstruction, especially in the neonatal period. We report the case of a newborn child who presented with an inspiratory distress and apneic episodes due to a mass in the nasopharynx. Preoperative evaluation and imaging showed a solid-cyctic nasopharyngeal mass without intracranial extension. The swelling was excised surgically under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination showed an immature teratoma of the nasopharynx. The postoperative course was uneventful. Teratomas of the nasopharynx are rare and are treated by surgical excision. If respiratory distress accompanies the lesion, priority must be given to securing the airway. Early diagnosis and particularly prenatal diagnosis has greatly improved their prognosis.