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Pietragalla M, Gattuso E, Nardi C, Lo Casto A. CT and MRI Key Features of Benign Tumors and Tumor-like Lesions of the Tongue: A Pictorial Review. Cancers (Basel) 2025; 17:1695. [PMID: 40427192 PMCID: PMC12109722 DOI: 10.3390/cancers17101695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2025] [Revised: 05/12/2025] [Accepted: 05/13/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Benign neoplasms and tumor-like lesions of the tongue are relatively rare entities, encompassing a heterogeneous spectrum of morphological alterations. The recent literature focusing on benign tumors and tumor-like lesions of the tongue is relatively limited, which may lead to a gap in understanding their specific imaging characteristics. Most benign tongue tumors usually appear as submucosal bulges located in the deep portion of the tongue. Both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are essential for the comprehensive diagnostic evaluation of these entities. Cross-sectional imaging plays a pivotal role in narrowing the differential diagnosis and, in selected cases, may suggest a specific histopathological entity. The benign tumors and tumor-like lesions included in this review comprise schwannoma, lipoma, angiomyolipoma, hemangioma, vascular malformations, dermoid cysts, and thyroglossal duct remnants (including cystic formations and ectopic thyroid tissue). Additionally, certain non-neoplastic conditions-such as lingual abscesses, infectious mononucleosis complicated by lingual tonsillitis, and fatty atrophy of the tongue-can mimic neoplastic processes and present as mass-like lesions; these have also been addressed in this pictorial essay. The purpose of this work is to illustrate the key CT and MRI features of the aforementioned benign lingual lesions, with the aim of improving diagnostic confidence and accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Pietragalla
- Department of Radiology, San Jacopo Hospital, Via Ciliegiole 97, 51100 Pistoia, Italy
| | - Emanuele Gattuso
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), Section of Radiology, University Hospital of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (E.G.); (A.L.C.)
| | - Cosimo Nardi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, Careggi Hospital, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Antonio Lo Casto
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BIND), Section of Radiology, University Hospital of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (E.G.); (A.L.C.)
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Nocini R, Arietti V, Sina S, Sacchetto L. Transoral Robotic Approach for Pharyngeal Schwannoma. Diagnostics (Basel) 2025; 15:484. [PMID: 40002635 PMCID: PMC11854143 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics15040484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2024] [Revised: 02/04/2025] [Accepted: 02/10/2025] [Indexed: 02/27/2025] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Schwannomas are a common condition encountered in clinical ENT practice, but they are rarely found in the pharyngeal or laryngeal regions. Materials and Methods: In this report, we share our experience using the transoral robotic approach to treat a schwannoma located on the lateral pharyngeal wall, with the surgery being performed exclusively using transoral robotic surgery (TORS). It is important to be aware of any pseudocystic lesions in this area, as they can lead to unpredictable anatomopathological outcomes. Results and Conclusions: Our technique allows us to achieve complete resection of the tumor, facilitating rapid recovery for the patient without the need for additional treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Nocini
- Unit of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Department, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; (R.N.); (L.S.)
| | - Valerio Arietti
- Unit of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Department, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; (R.N.); (L.S.)
| | - Sokol Sina
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Section of Pathology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata di Verona, Piazzale Aristide Stefani 1, 37126 Verona, Italy;
| | - Luca Sacchetto
- Unit of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Department, University of Verona, P.le L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy; (R.N.); (L.S.)
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Zhang X, Gao Q, Xuan Y. Maxillary gingival neurolemmoma: a case report and literature review. BMC Oral Health 2023; 23:770. [PMID: 37858072 PMCID: PMC10588195 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03509-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore and summarize the clinical features, differential diagnosis and treatment of the oral maxillofacial schwandoma. CASE PRESENTATION This is a report of a case of a 46-year-old female patients with neurolemmoma in the maxillary gingiva. The clinical features, pathological features, differential diagnosis and treatment were analyzed. Literature review was conducted in search of domestic and overseas journal full-text database from 1986 ~ 2017. 39 reports on the oral and maxillofacial Neurolemmoma from 1986 to 2017 in the database of China hospital knowledge database and the PubMed database, there were 405 patients. There were 23 cases of gingival mucosa, 17 in foreign literature and only 6 in the domestic literature. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of gingival Neurolemmoma is extremely low, the predilection age is similar to other parts, it is middle-aged and young, and there is no obvious gender tendency. About 25-45% of schwannomas are found in the head and neck, and rarely in the mouth (only 1%). The most common internal location of the mouth is the tongue, followed by the floor of the mouth, buccal mucosa, palate, gums, and lips. Schwannomas are slow-growing benign tumors that are rare in the gums. Gingival schwannoma is usually a single occurrence, and the clinical manifestations are mostly painless gum mass, tooth loosening and displacement, without peripheral bone changes and regional lymph node metastasis. It is difficult to diagnose this tumor according to clinical manifestations, and pathological diagnosis is still the basis for the diagnosis of gingival schwannoma. So far, surgical resection is the preferred treatment for this disease, and the prognosis is good.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangzi Zhang
- Yanbian University Medical College, JiLin, 133000, China
- Stomatology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University, JiLin, 133000, China
| | - Qiming Gao
- Stomatology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University, JiLin, 133000, China
| | - Yunze Xuan
- Stomatology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Yanbian University, JiLin, 133000, China.
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Swain SK, Samal S, Das S, Padhy R. A Large Intraoral Sublingual Schwannoma in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY 2021; 33:335-337. [PMID: 34692581 PMCID: PMC8507946 DOI: 10.22038/ijorl.2021.44977.2478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Schwannoma is a benign neoplasm that arises from Schwannoma cells found in the peripheral nerve sheath. It's a frequent neoplasm in the head and neck area, but it's exceedingly unusual to find it in the mouth. It's a rare occurrence in the oral cavity of the pediatric age group. CASE REPORT We present a 12-year-old kid who has had a smooth, firm, and non-tender mass in the sublingual region for the past year. The mass was removed completely using a transoral technique. The diagnosis of sublingual schwannoma was confirmed by histopathological and immunohistochemical testing. CONCLUSION Schwannomas are typically benign and have a good prognosis with a low risk of malignant change. It should be used as a differential diagnostic for sublingual diseases such as ranula and salivary gland lesions. In the case of lingual schwannoma, surgical removal of the tumor is the preferred therapy. The transoral method is the most popular treatment option for sublingual schwannoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Kumar Swain
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, IMS and SUM Hospital, Siksha “O” Anusandhan University (Deemed to be), K8, Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar-751003, Odisha, India.
| | - Smrutipragnya Samal
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, IMS and SUM Hospital, Siksha “O” Anusandhan University (Deemed to be), K8, Kalinga Nagar, Bhubaneswar-751003, Odisha, India.
| | - Somadatta Das
- Central Research Laboratory, IMS and SUM Hospital, Siksha “O” Anusandhan University (Deemed to be), K8, Kalinga N.
| | - Rabindranath Padhy
- Central Research Laboratory, IMS and SUM Hospital, Siksha “O” Anusandhan University (Deemed to be), K8, Kalinga N.
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Abstract
Schwannomas are the most common benign tumors arising from the peripheral nerve sheath, and the intraoral location is very atypical, representing less than 1% of all cases. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice, and a variety of surgical approaches have been described. The authors report the first described case of tongue base schwannoma treated with transoral robotic surgery (TORS). A 47-years-old female patient complaining mild dysphagia and snoring, presented a submucosal swelling at the right side of the tongue base. MRI showed a large well-circumscribed solid mass, homogeneously isointense in T1WI and hyperintense on T2WI, with no lymph node metastasis. According to size, location and radiological characteristic of the mass a TORS approach was chosen. An extracapsular dissection was performed, and the lesion was completely removed with no intraoperative complications. The final diagnosis based on histopathological examination and IHC analysis (S-100 positive) was a schwannoma of the tongue base. The post-operative course was uneventful, and no recurrence was observed after 6 months of follow-up. This study demonstrates the feasibility of TORS in the treatment of a tongue base schwannoma. This is a valid alternative to the common transoral approach in order to avoid more invasive external approaches, and further studies are recommended in order to clarify if this approach could be proposed as the first line treatment in selected cases.
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Comprehensive Analyses of Intraoral Benign and Malignant Nerve Sheath Tumors: The Rare Disease Entities Revisited. J Craniofac Surg 2019; 30:e317-e327. [PMID: 30845091 DOI: 10.1097/scs.0000000000005231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Intraoral benign and malignant nerve sheath tumors (BNST and MNST) are rare tumors with non-specific clinical presentations and represent diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Current knowledge regarding their demographic, clinicopathological features and treatments remains fragmented. MATERIALS AND METHODS The original data about patients diagnosed as intraoral BNST and MNST were retrieved from our disease registry (2005-2017). Comprehensive reviews of English and Chinese literature were performed to collect and analyze the epidemiological, clinicopathological data and treatment outcomes about those published cases. RESULTS Thirty-four intraoral BNSTs were found at our institution in the past 13 years. Literature reviews identified 354 intraoral BNSTs in 223 articles and 60 intraoral MNSTs in 50 articles. Most intraoral BNSTs and MNSTs were presented in the second to fifth decade of life. Males outnumbered females in MNSTs, while BNSTs displayed a slight female preponderance. The common sites for intraoral BNSTs were parapharyngeal space followed by tongue, whereas mandible was the most common site for MNSTs. Most intraoral BNSTs were presented as slow-growing, painless mass or swelling, while MNSTs usually appeared as painful and invasive mass with discomfort. Surgical excision was preferred for intraoral BNSTs with excellent prognosis. Complete resection was indicated for intraoral MNST with dismal prognosis as evidenced by much recurrence, metastasis, and death. CONCLUSION Intraoral BNST and MNST are rare diseases which should not be ignored when intraoral painless or painful mass/swelling is found. Surgical excision is indicated for intraoral BNST with favorable outcomes. However, further investigations are warranted to optimize the treatment for intraoral MNST to improve its prognosis.
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Barber C, Fahrenkopf M, Adams N, Naum S. Multiple Peripheral Schwannomas. EPLASTY 2018; 18:ic7. [PMID: 29623152 PMCID: PMC5865225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Cara M. Barber
- aMichigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids
| | - Matthew P. Fahrenkopf
- aMichigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids,bSpectrum Health/Michigan State University Plastic Surgery Residency, Grand Rapids,Correspondence:
| | - Nicholas S. Adams
- aMichigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids,bSpectrum Health/Michigan State University Plastic Surgery Residency, Grand Rapids
| | - Steven C. Naum
- aMichigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids,bSpectrum Health/Michigan State University Plastic Surgery Residency, Grand Rapids,cOrthopedic Associates of Michigan, Grand Rapids
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An X, Zhu M, Zhang N, Lu S, Wei P, Jiang L, Yang X. Schwannoma of the vagina - a common tumor but a rare location: A case report. Mol Clin Oncol 2017; 7:783-786. [PMID: 29181168 PMCID: PMC5700289 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2017.1420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Schwannomas are nerve sheath tumors arising from Schwann cells. These tumors usually present as benign, relatively slow-growing, solitary, encapsulated, painless masses. Schwannomas rarely occur in the vagina, and have not been fully recognized as gynecological tumors. We herein describe the case of a patient who presented with a schwannoma occurring in the wall of vagina, with non-specific symptoms lasting for ~1 year. The vaginal mass was incidentally detected during a sonographic examination and the patient was referred for surgical resection. The surgery was uncomplicated and the vaginal tumor was diagnosed as benign schwannoma. The immunohistochemical examination revealed positivity for vimentin, S-100 and glial fibrillary acidic protein, whereas discovered on GIST-1, CD117, CD34, desmin, smooth muscle actin and cytokeratin were negative. Tumors occurring in the vagina are common and are of variable histological types, with a wide range of pathological characteristics and complications. Schwannoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with atypical symptoms from the gynecological tract. Immunohistochemical staining is required for confirmation of the diagnosis of schwannoma, and for distinguishing this entity from other homologous tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin An
- Department of Pathology, Handan First Hospital, Handan, Hebei 056002, P.R. China
| | - Meng Zhu
- Department of Gastroenterology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, P.R. China
| | - Ning Zhang
- Department of Pathology, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia 750004, P.R. China
| | - Sanjun Lu
- Department of Pathology, Handan First Hospital, Handan, Hebei 056002, P.R. China
| | - Pin Wei
- Department of Pathology, Handan First Hospital, Handan, Hebei 056002, P.R. China
| | - Linna Jiang
- Department of Pathology, Handan First Hospital, Handan, Hebei 056002, P.R. China
| | - Xueli Yang
- Department of Pathology, Handan First Hospital, Handan, Hebei 056002, P.R. China
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