Congenital smooth muscle hamartoma of the tongue in a neonate — a case report

Abstract

Background Hamartoma is a benign, tumor-like proliferation of mature tissue that is natural to the organ from which it developed. Oral hamartomas are rare and can occur as an isolated finding or as a part of a syndrome. Case presentation We report a 4-day-old male neonate who was postnatally noted to have a large 3.5 × 3.5 cm lobulated mass over the tip of the tongue. The mass was causing protrusion of the tongue and feeding difficulties following which surgical excision was planned. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. Conclusion Although rare, lingual hamartomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis algorithm for congenital tongue lesions. The definitive diagnosis is histopathological with complete resection of the tumor resulting in a favorable prognosis.

Multiple hamartomas of the oral cavity with bifid tongue and cleft palate: A unique observation

“…As a thorough evaluation did not reveal any associated defects, we consider the index patient to have developed the malformation sporadically. In their review, Kreiger et al reported that the dorsal anterior tongue was the most common site affected [6,7], whereas Liu et al reported that lingual hamartomas develop most frequently at the base of the tongue. [6,8] Lingual hamartomas that are located in a posterior position, adjacent to the foramen cecum, in particular, should be evaluated thoroughly to exclude the possibility of being lingual thyroids, as excising them will render the patients hypothyroid.…”

“…In their review, Kreiger et al reported that the dorsal anterior tongue was the most common site affected [6,7], whereas Liu et al reported that lingual hamartomas develop most frequently at the base of the tongue. [6,8] Lingual hamartomas that are located in a posterior position, adjacent to the foramen cecum, in particular, should be evaluated thoroughly to exclude the possibility of being lingual thyroids, as excising them will render the patients hypothyroid. [8] The anterior position of the lingual hamartoma in the index case has obviated the need for further imaging or thyroid scans in the preoperative setting.…”