Epidermoid Cyst of Tongue

Epidermoid cyst occurring within the tongue is rare. A 5 year old male child was brought to OPD with a tongue mass which was gradually increasing in size. There was associated difficulty in speech and mastication as the swelling increased in size. Intraoral examination revealed moderately tender,fluctuant and enlarged tongue. A diagnosis of dermoid cyst was made and the patient was booked for surgery. Excision of the cyst was done under general anaesthesia. Post-operative histopathology was done. The histopathological findings confirm the diagnosis of an epidermoid cyst, characterized by the presence of: (I) a cyst cavity lined by stratified squamous epithelium with keratinization on the surface; and (II) connective tissue with a mild inflammation. The proposed treatment was considered successful as the case was solved and there was no recurrence.