JAMA otolaryngology-- head & neck surgery
-
JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · May 2014
Review Case ReportsA duplication of the mouth associated with a dysontogenic cyst: a case report and discussion of theories of origin.
IMPORTANCE Diprosopus is a medical condition that refers to full or partial craniofacial duplication. A particular subset of this condition, duplication of the mouth, is an exceedingly rare condition, with 7 reported cases in the medical literature. The embryogenesis and mechanism of disease are not well understood. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE On the basis of our findings, we propose the mechanism of origin for duplication of the mouth to be duplication of the first branchial arch. This case offers a deeper understanding of the mechanism of this disease than previously reported. Additional basic science and clinical research is needed to corroborate this theory.