Congenital dermoid cyst of the tongue: a rare clinical image

A 3-year-old female child presented with a painless swelling of the tongue noticed since early childhood, with a gradual increase in size. Clinical examination revealed a well-circumscribed, soft, non-tender, cystic mass arising from the anterior aspect of the tongue. The overlying mucosa was normal, with no ulceration or bleeding, and there were no associated feeding difficulties or respiratory compromise. The diagnostic approach included detailed clinical evaluation and intraoperative assessment, which demonstrated a well-defined cystic lesion embedded within the tongue musculature. Based on the characteristic clinical appearance and operative findings, a provisional diagnosis of dermoid cyst was made. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis by demonstrating a cyst lined with stratified squamous epithelium containing keratinous material. The patient underwent complete surgical excision of the cyst under general anesthesia. The procedure was uneventful, and care was taken to preserve surrounding tongue musculature. Postoperative recovery was smooth, with no complications such as bleeding, infection, or airway compromise. On short-term follow-up, the child showed satisfactory wound healing with resolution of tongue swelling. At medium-term follow-up, there was no evidence of recurrence, and normal feeding and speech development were observed. This image highlights a rare presentation of a congenital dermoid cyst of the tongue in a pediatric patient and emphasizes the importance of appropriate diagnostic evaluation and timely surgical management to achieve favorable outcomes.