Large oral heterotopic gastrointestinal cyst in a child: A case report and update

Heterotopic gastrointestinal cyst (HGIC) is a rare congenital cyst that may result from the displacement of gastric mucosal cells into other regions of the gastrointestinal tract. Although uncommon in the oral cavity, HGICs can cause feeding, swallowing, phonation, and breathing difficulties and may clinically resemble other soft tissue lesions. In this paper, we present a new case of oral HGIC in an infant and provide update on the existing literature regarding this condition in pediatric patients, with a focus on its clinical and pathological features. A 6-month-old female presented with a painless nodule in the ventral surface of the tongue, present since birth. Fine needle aspiration yielded a saliva-like fluid, and a clinical diagnosis of mucocele was initially made, followed by excisional biopsy in hospital setting. Histopathological examination showed a cystic lesion lined with epithelium of varying morphology, with the cystic capsule displaying muscle tissue and glandular elements beneath the cystic wall. Thus, the diagnosis of oral HGIC was established. The patient remains under follow-up with no signs of recurrence. Given its predilection for infants, oral HGICs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of nodules on the ventral tongue and floor of the mouth in pediatric patients.