[Tongue cyst in children: foregut duplication, a possible diagnosis]. / Kyste lingual de l'enfant : savoir évoquer la duplication digestive.

INTRODUCTION: Foregut duplication is a heterotopy of the digestive mucosa. The tongue localization is relatively uncommon, it presents as a cystic lesion. We report a series of five patients presenting with cysts of the tongue. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was made on cases of foregut duplication of the lingual area, diagnosed between 1977 and 2008. We documented the patient's age, gender, symptoms, lesion localization, clinical radiological and pathological features, treatment, and outcome. RESULTS: Four boys and one girl were included. Two cysts were diagnosed during antenatal screening, two during early infancy, and one at the age of 12 (after infectious complication). In every case, the diagnosis could be confirmed only after surgical removal. DISCUSSION: Foregut duplication of the tongue is rare and its incidence is probably underestimated. This diagnosis should be suggested in case of congenital intraoral cysts. Treatment is surgical excision, and pathological examination confirms the diagnosis.