Cervical teratoma in later infancy: report of 13 cases.

This is a retrospective review of 13 infants with cervical teratomas seen over a period of 19 years. Three neonates presented with obstructive airways symptoms of varying severity and required emergency surgery. Ten others had urgent but not emergency surgery. One patient developed both hypoparathyroidism and hypothyroidism after surgery and required replacement therapy. Although most cervical teratomas are benign, early operation obviates the risk of secondary malignant transformation. There was no mortality following surgery, but all patients were lost to follow-up after a period of time.