Lymphangioma of the tongue

Abstract

Lymphangiomas are developmental malformations and have a marked predilection for the head and neck region. They are benign proliferation of lymphatic vessels and represents hamartomas of malformed lymphatics. The most common location in the mouth is the dorsum of tongue, followed by lips, buccal mucosa, soft palate, and floor of the mouth. In the tongue, they may present as a localized or a diffused growth which may enlarge to cause macroglossia, impaired speech and difficulty in mastication. These tumors are typically present at birth, but may go unnoticed until after dentition erupts or even after puberty. Presenting here is a case of localized lymphangioma of the tongue in a five year old child and its surgical management.

Successful Treatment of Macroglossia Due to Lymphatic Malformation With Sirolimus

“…5 More than half of all lesions are found in the head and neck. 11 Oral lymphatic malformations occur at various sites but are most frequently found on the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, where they often result in macroglossia, which may impair speech and eating and may become life-threatening due to their size or secondary infection. 7-10 They enlarge due to inadequate drainage, from lack of communication with the central lymphatic channels or excessive secretion of lining cells, resulting in the cystic morphology of the lesions.…”

“…7-10 They enlarge due to inadequate drainage, from lack of communication with the central lymphatic channels or excessive secretion of lining cells, resulting in the cystic morphology of the lesions. 11 The objectives of treatment are preservation of taste, restoration of tongue size for articulation, correction of mandibular and dental deformities, and cosmesis. [12][13][14] Lymphatic malformation of the tongue may present as a localized or diffuse growth.…”

Nonneoplastic Tongue Swellings of Lymphatic and Lymphocytic Origin: Three Case Reports

“…They most likely represent developmental malformations that arise from sequestrations of lymphatic tissue that do not communicate normally with the rest of the lymphatic system [18, 19]. …”

“…They were classified according to the size of lymphatic vessels into lymphangioma simplex (capillary lymphangioma), which consists of small lymphatic capillaries, cavernous lymphangioma, which contains dilated lymphatic vessels, and cystic lymphangioma (cystic hygroma), which exhibits large, macroscopic cystic spaces [19]. …”

“…Like our case, oral lymphangioma occurs frequently on anterior two-thirds of the tongue with superficial location and pebbly surface. However, deeply located lesions were also reported that cause diffuse swelling, termed macroglossia [18, 19]. …”