Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 7, 2026

The Flexible Rhino-Laryngoscope for Awake Nasotracheal Intubation
03:58

The Flexible Rhino-Laryngoscope for Awake Nasotracheal Intubation

Published on: August 2, 2024

A vanishing tongue-base cyst

Kin-Sun Wong1, Yu-Hsuan Huang, Cheng-Teng Wu

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Hospital, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

The Turkish Journal of Pediatrics
|February 6, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A tongue-base cyst caused breathing issues in an infant. Suctioning relieved symptoms, suggesting the cyst may have ruptured, resolving the infant's respiratory distress.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Neonatal Respiratory Disorders

Background:

  • Infants can present with congenital anomalies causing respiratory distress.
  • Tongue-base masses are rare but can significantly impact neonatal airway.
  • Feeding difficulties and noisy breathing are key indicators of upper airway obstruction in neonates.

Observation:

  • A one-month-old male infant exhibited noisy breathing, feeding difficulties, and shortness of breath.
  • Lateral neck radiography revealed an abnormal soft tissue mass at the tongue base.
  • Respiratory distress and noisy breathing resolved spontaneously after nasogastric suctioning.

Findings:

  • The resolution of symptoms post-nasogastric suctioning suggests a potential link between oropharyngeal manipulation and cyst rupture.
  • The tongue-base mass, initially suspected as a cyst, likely decompressed or ruptured, alleviating airway obstruction.
  • This case highlights a possible, albeit unusual, mechanism for resolving neonatal respiratory distress caused by a tongue-base cyst.

Implications:

  • Nasogastric suctioning may inadvertently lead to the rupture of certain oropharyngeal cysts in infants.
  • Clinicians should consider the possibility of cyst rupture when observing rapid symptom improvement after interventions.
  • This finding broadens the differential diagnosis and management considerations for neonatal airway obstruction due to tongue-base masses.

More Related Videos

Lateral Molar Approach-Driven Transoral Endoscopic Procedure for Benign Infratemporal Fossa Tumor Resection04:04

Lateral Molar Approach-Driven Transoral Endoscopic Procedure for Benign Infratemporal Fossa Tumor Resection

Published on: August 15, 2025

Fabrication of Tongue Extracellular Matrix and Reconstitution of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Vitro08:15

Fabrication of Tongue Extracellular Matrix and Reconstitution of Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Vitro

Published on: June 20, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Assessment of the Mouth01:26

Assessment of the Mouth

A thorough mouth assessment, including inspection and palpation of the lips, gums, tongue, tonsils, uvula, and pharynx, is crucial in detecting potential health issues. Diseases ranging from oral cancer to systemic conditions like diabetes could be identified early through careful oral examination. This article provides a detailed guide on conducting a comprehensive mouth assessment.
Mouth Inspection
The inspection begins with visually examining the mouth for symmetry, color, and size.
The Tongue and Taste Buds00:49

The Tongue and Taste Buds

The surface of the tongue is covered with various small bumps called papillae, which either distribute what has been ingested (filiform papillae) or contain the sensory taste (or gustatory) receptor cells (fungiform, circumvallate, and foliate papillae). Embedded within each taste-related papilla are the taste buds—clusters of 30 to 100 gustatory receptor cells.
Tongue01:01

Tongue

The human tongue is a fascinating and complex organ, responsible for various essential functions such as swallowing, speech, and taste. It is also subject to various conditions and diseases. In this article, we delve into the anatomy of the tongue, its roles, and some common conditions that can affect it.
Anatomical Position in the Oral Cavity
The tongue is located within the oral cavity, also known as the mouth. It is attached to the floor of the mouth by a fold of mucous membrane called the...
Oral Cavity01:11

Oral Cavity

The oral cavity, or the mouth, is a complex structure in humans that plays a vital role in our day-to-day lives. Its role is not only in chewing and swallowing food; it also plays a role in speech and facial expressions.
Teeth: The teeth are the hardest structures in our bodies. Humans have two sets of teeth throughout their lifetime: deciduous (baby) teeth and permanent teeth. Each tooth consists of several parts: the crown (visible part), the root (embedded in the jaw), enamel (hard outer...
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
Taste Buds and Receptors01:20

Taste Buds and Receptors

Gustation, or the sense of taste, is intrinsically linked to the anatomical structures located on the tongue. This organ's surface, along with the entirety of the oral cavity, is adorned with stratified squamous epithelium. Evident on the tongue are elevated structures known as papillae (singular = papilla), which house the mechanisms for the transduction of gustatory stimuli. Four distinct types of papillae exist, each identified by their unique morphological attributes: the circumvallate,...