Heterotopic gastric cyst of the tongue in a newborn

Gastrointestinal heterotopia in the tongue is a rare condition. A male newborn was noted to have a cystic swelling in the anterior part of the dorsum of the tongue. This was surgically excised. Histology revealed it to be a heterotopic gastrointestinal cyst. A literature review was undertaken because of the rarity of this lesion. As most of these cysts are present from birth, they are likely to be developmental in origin.