Giant oral epidermoid cyst emptying as an emergency maneuver: Case report and literature review

Abstract

The aim of this case report was to present a giant epidermoid cyst (giant EC) in the floor of the mouth measuring 7.1 × 6.0 × 9.2 cm in a 21-year-old black male treated through an incision and marsupialization as an emergency maneuver, restoring vital functions, including breathing and eating. Additionally, a literature review was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science including case reports describing patients with a giant EC measuring 3.5 cm or larger in the intraoral region. The qualitative analysis included demographic data, clinical characteristics, and treatment modalities. In this review, we found 16 cases of giant EC, more prevalent in males with a mean age of 32.62 years, predominantly located on the floor of the mouth, and with an average of 4.48 × 6.64 cm. The complications most frequently reported were dysphagia, dysarthria, dyspnea, and tongue displacement. Magnetic Resonance Imaging was commonly used as a complementary exam. The main treatment was surgical excision with intraoral access, and postoperative complications were reported in two cases. Emptying and marsupialization of giant EC can be useful techniques for reducing the size and restoring the patient's basic functions in emergencies.