Giant plunging sublingual dermoid cysts with cervical extension: a case series

Abstract

Plunging sublingual dermoid cysts with cervical extension are rare developmental lesions that may present as combined intraoral and neck swellings and can pose diagnostic and surgical challenges. We present a case series of five patients with giant plunging sublingual dermoid cysts. The patients, aged 14-50 years, presented with long-standing, painless swellings associated with dysphagia and speech difficulty. Clinical examination revealed floor-of-mouth and cervical swellings, while imaging demonstrated well-defined cystic lesions occupying the sublingual space and extending into the cervical region, with posterior displacement of the tongue. Fine-needle aspiration cytology suggested dermoid or epidermoid cysts. All four patients underwent complete surgical excision through a transcervical approach. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of dermoid cyst in all cases. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and no recurrence was observed during the available follow-up period. Giant plunging sublingual dermoid cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic swellings of the floor of the mouth with cervical extension. Appropriate imaging is valuable for establishing the extent of the lesion and planning surgery, while complete surgical excision provides favorable clinical outcomes.