The difficult diagnosis of floor of the mouth masses: a case report

Abstract Background Lymphatic malformations can present as a floor of the mouth mass, they are rare vascular lesions, presenting most frequently in the head and neck region and mostly presenting at birth or before 2 years of age. Clinical and diagnostic findings can make the differential diagnosis w...

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Main Authors: Alexe De Ferm, Bart Van Boven, Maaike Cornelis, Rafael Jacobs
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2025-01-01
Series:The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-025-00756-z
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author Alexe De Ferm
Bart Van Boven
Maaike Cornelis
Rafael Jacobs
author_facet Alexe De Ferm
Bart Van Boven
Maaike Cornelis
Rafael Jacobs
author_sort Alexe De Ferm
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Lymphatic malformations can present as a floor of the mouth mass, they are rare vascular lesions, presenting most frequently in the head and neck region and mostly presenting at birth or before 2 years of age. Clinical and diagnostic findings can make the differential diagnosis with other floor of the mouth masses, such as ranulas, difficult. Case presentation We present a case of a 7-year-old girl with a sudden swelling in the floor of the mouth without infectious characteristics. Clinically and after imaging, the swelling was most compatible with a ranula. After sublingual sialadenectomy, recurrence of the swelling occurred. Multiple evacuating punctures were needed for symptomatic relief. Given the clinical evolution and new imaging, diagnosis of a lymphatic malformation became more likely. Sclerotherapy was performed with size stabilization. Conclusion Floor of the mouth masses comprise a group of different pathologies with different presentations, diagnostic findings and treatment. Differential diagnosis can be challenging. This case report presents an overview of the presentation and management of floor of the mouth masses, focused on lymphatic malformations, with characteristics distinguishing them from other pathologies such as ranulas.
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spelling doaj-art-7a0d2afdf6664ee2b77958c609e708c92025-01-26T12:12:28ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology2090-85392025-01-014111510.1186/s43163-025-00756-zThe difficult diagnosis of floor of the mouth masses: a case reportAlexe De Ferm0Bart Van Boven1Maaike Cornelis2Rafael Jacobs3KU Leuven, ENTAZ Sint-Blasius, ENT, DendermondeAZ Sint-Blasius, ENT, DendermondeAZ Sint-Blasius, ENT, DendermondeAbstract Background Lymphatic malformations can present as a floor of the mouth mass, they are rare vascular lesions, presenting most frequently in the head and neck region and mostly presenting at birth or before 2 years of age. Clinical and diagnostic findings can make the differential diagnosis with other floor of the mouth masses, such as ranulas, difficult. Case presentation We present a case of a 7-year-old girl with a sudden swelling in the floor of the mouth without infectious characteristics. Clinically and after imaging, the swelling was most compatible with a ranula. After sublingual sialadenectomy, recurrence of the swelling occurred. Multiple evacuating punctures were needed for symptomatic relief. Given the clinical evolution and new imaging, diagnosis of a lymphatic malformation became more likely. Sclerotherapy was performed with size stabilization. Conclusion Floor of the mouth masses comprise a group of different pathologies with different presentations, diagnostic findings and treatment. Differential diagnosis can be challenging. This case report presents an overview of the presentation and management of floor of the mouth masses, focused on lymphatic malformations, with characteristics distinguishing them from other pathologies such as ranulas.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-025-00756-zCase reportLymphatic malformationRanulaSclerotherapy
spellingShingle Alexe De Ferm
Bart Van Boven
Maaike Cornelis
Rafael Jacobs
The difficult diagnosis of floor of the mouth masses: a case report
The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology
Case report
Lymphatic malformation
Ranula
Sclerotherapy
title The difficult diagnosis of floor of the mouth masses: a case report
title_full The difficult diagnosis of floor of the mouth masses: a case report
title_fullStr The difficult diagnosis of floor of the mouth masses: a case report
title_full_unstemmed The difficult diagnosis of floor of the mouth masses: a case report
title_short The difficult diagnosis of floor of the mouth masses: a case report
title_sort difficult diagnosis of floor of the mouth masses a case report
topic Case report
Lymphatic malformation
Ranula
Sclerotherapy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-025-00756-z
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