Teratoma tongue: Case report and review of literature

Teratomas are true neoplasms composed of tissues from all three germinal layers and may exhibit variable levels of maturity. They have an unknown origin and eccentric microscopic appearance. Teratomas arising from the oral cavity are rare in the newborn; only 22 cases have been reported in the literature. We describe a female neonate with an oral teratoma originating from the tongue that was successfully treated with surgery.     

Therapeutic effect of posture in sleep apnea

Four patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea were monitored first in the supine posture to establish a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea (apnea indices 33, 12, 22, 36). A second polysomnogram, obtained while the patients slept in the lateral posture, showed a dramatic decrease in apnea (apnea indices 5, 0, 0.2, and 0) and snoring. Each patient had an enlarged uvula, which moved to the side in the lateral posture. We conclude that sleeping in the lateral posture may be therapeutic in some patients with obstructive sleep apneas.