Teratoma of thyroid gland in infancy: review of the literature and two case reports.

Teratomas of the cervical area are relatively rare tumors--only 132 cases have been reported. This paper adds two more cases to the literature and reviews the important clinical aspects of the disease. This tumor commonly presents in early infancy with increasing respiratory distress; polyhydramnios is commonly associated with tumors greater than 10 cm in diameter. They are always benign in infants and are believed to arise from the thyroid gland. Prompt surgical removal is mandatory. Thyroid function studies should be initiated preoperatively, if feasible, and definitely postoperatively to avoid the possible complication of hypothyroidism in the young infant.