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Safia A, Shehadeh R, Merchavy S. Anterolateral Lingual Abscess in a Young Adult: A Comprehensive Case Study. Ear Nose Throat J 2024:1455613241233922. [PMID: 38369962 DOI: 10.1177/01455613241233922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Lingual abscesses, characterized by infectious collections of pus within the tongue parenchyma, are rare and poorly understood clinical entities. Despite their potential for severe complications, literature on lingual abscesses remains limited, consisting mainly of sporadic case reports. This comprehensive case study examines the challenges and successful management of a severe anterolateral tongue abscess in a young adult, contributing to the emerging body of knowledge on this condition. A young adult male presented with a progressively worsening painful, swollen tongue and dyspnea over 2 days. Urgent intervention was necessary to prevent potential airway compromise despite maintaining normal oxygen saturation. The patient's medical history showed no prior oral infections, illnesses, or relevant medical conditions. Detailed clinical assessment, utilization of imaging modalities such as contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan and ultrasonography, and collaboration with a maxillofacial surgeon guided accurate diagnosis and successful treatment. This case study provides valuable insights into the diagnosis and management of anterolateral lingual abscess in a young adult. It underscores the importance of heightened clinical awareness, precise diagnostic techniques, and multidisciplinary collaboration for optimal patient outcomes. The report contributes to the limited literature and emphasizes the need for further research to establish evidence-based guidelines for lingual abscess management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alaa Safia
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Unit, Rebecca Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel
| | - Rabie Shehadeh
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
| | - Shlomo Merchavy
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Unit, Rebecca Ziv Medical Center, Safed, Israel
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
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Rampi A, Tettamanti A, Bertotto I, Comini LV, Howardson BO, Luparello P, Di Santo D, Bondi S. Atypical Tongue Abscesses Mimicking Submucosal Malignancies: A Review of the Literature Focusing on Diagnostic Challenges. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5871. [PMID: 38136415 PMCID: PMC10741429 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Tongue abscesses are rare conditions that usually follow mucosal disruption due to mechanical trauma or foreign body impaction. They typically manifest abruptly as a rapidly growing, hard mass or swelling in the context of tongue muscles; the patient frequently complains of pain, difficulties in swallowing or speaking, and fever. Nonetheless, the features of its presentation, together with accurate clinical evaluation, blood tests, and appropriate imaging tests, are usually sufficient to easily discern a tongue abscess from a malignancy. However, in rare cases, they may occur with slowly progressing and subtle symptoms, nuanced objective and laboratory findings, and inconclusive radiological evidence, leading to difficult differential diagnosis with submucosal malignancy. Herein, we review the literature, available on Pubmed, Embase, and Scopus, on publications reporting tongue abscesses, with atypical presentation suggesting an oral tumor. Our review confirms that tongue abscesses may manifest as a slowly growing and moderately painful swelling without purulent discharge and minimal mucosal inflammation; in this case, they may constitute an actual diagnostic challenge with potentially severe impact on correct management. Atypical tongue abscesses must therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of tongue malignancy with submucosal extension, even when other diagnostic elements suggest a neoplasia; in this case, a deep biopsy under general anesthesia is essential for differential diagnosis, and simultaneous drainage of the necrotic and abscessual material may resolve the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rampi
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Division of Head and Neck Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (A.R.); (A.T.); (B.O.H.)
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Tettamanti
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Division of Head and Neck Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (A.R.); (A.T.); (B.O.H.)
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Bertotto
- Radiology Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, 10060 Turin, Italy;
| | - Lara Valentina Comini
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Head and Neck Surgery, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, 10060 Turin, Italy; (L.V.C.); (P.L.); (D.D.S.)
| | - Bright Oworae Howardson
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Division of Head and Neck Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (A.R.); (A.T.); (B.O.H.)
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Luparello
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Head and Neck Surgery, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, 10060 Turin, Italy; (L.V.C.); (P.L.); (D.D.S.)
| | - Davide Di Santo
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Head and Neck Surgery, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, 10060 Turin, Italy; (L.V.C.); (P.L.); (D.D.S.)
| | - Stefano Bondi
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Head and Neck Surgery, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, 10060 Turin, Italy; (L.V.C.); (P.L.); (D.D.S.)
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Lee J, Pappas TN. "The President's Syndrome": The Diagnosis and Treatment of Gerald Ford's Lingual Actinomycosis. Am Surg 2023; 89:5057-5061. [PMID: 35621138 DOI: 10.1177/00031348221084953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Gerald R. Ford was the 38th president of the United States. He was appointed as vice president by Richard Nixon in 1974 upon the resignation of Spiro T. Agnew. In the midst of the Watergate Crisis, Nixon resigned making Ford the only president to serve without being elected as either president or vice president. In the year 2000, 13 years after his abbreviated term in office, he was attending the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia where he developed pain in his tongue, slurring of his speech, and signs of a stroke. He was taken to the emergency room of Hahnemann University Hospital where a CT scan showed a posterior circulation stroke. Within 24 hours, all of Ford's symptoms improved except for his tongue pain and speech. An MRI of the head and neck showed a tongue mass and he was taken to the operating room where an abscess was found. The bacteriology confirmed actinomycosis of the tongue and Ford rapidly improved after the incision and drainage. This paper will review the clinical course of Gerald Ford's lingual actinomycosis and will discuss this rare condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet Lee
- Departments of Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences (Lee) and Surgery (Pappas), Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Theodore N Pappas
- Departments of Head and Neck Surgery and Communication Sciences (Lee) and Surgery (Pappas), Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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Mesfin T, Debele G, Seyoum K, Dadi S, Tsegaye M, Gomora D, Kene C, Tolosa G. Tongue Abscess: A Case Report. Int Med Case Rep J 2022; 15:769-772. [PMID: 36605725 PMCID: PMC9809373 DOI: 10.2147/imcrj.s399020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Abscess of the tongue is a very rare disease that potentially compromises the airway. Acute tongue abscess symptoms include swelling or a lump in the deep tissues of the tongue, throbbing local pain, a discomfort that radiates to the ears, fever, difficulty swallowing, deliberate fixation of the tongue due to pain, and eventually, difficulties breathing. Case This is a 50-year-old male patient who presented with a complaint of severe tongue pain and swelling of three days duration. Associated with this, he had pain while swallowing, difficulty opening his mouth, shortness of breath, and drooling saliva. Likewise, he had a high-grade fever and a global type of headache. On physical examination, there was significant tongue swelling on the left anterolateral area, fluctuant on palpation, and had erythematous border. After informed consent was taken the patient was transferred to the operation room with the diagnosis of tongue abscess. Subsequently, incision and drainage were done under general anesthesia, and about 30mL of thick pus was drained. The pocket was washed with normal saline and 2% hydrogen peroxide. The patient was transferred to the surgical ward with stable vital signs and had been on antibiotics. He was discharged after two days of hospital stay. Conclusion Abscesses in the tongue are quite uncommon due to its rich vascular supply, lymphatic drainage, and saliva's immunologic advantage. Thorough diagnosis and successful treatment of tongue abscess prevent potential airway compromise. Antibiotic treatment should cover gram-positive and gram-negative anaerobes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telila Mesfin
- Department of Medicine, Madda Walabu University Goba General Hospital, Goba, Ethiopia,Correspondence: Telila Mesfin, Tel +251931504321, Email
| | - Gosaye Debele
- Department of Surgery, Madda Walabu University Goba General Hospital, Goba, Ethiopia
| | - Kenbon Seyoum
- Department of Midwifery, Madda Walabu University Goba General Hospital, Goba, Ethiopia
| | - Sisay Dadi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Madda Walabu University Goba General Hospital, Goba, Ethiopia
| | - Mesfin Tsegaye
- Department of Medicine, Madda Walabu University Goba General Hospital, Goba, Ethiopia
| | - Degefa Gomora
- Department of Midwifery, Madda Walabu University Goba General Hospital, Goba, Ethiopia
| | - Chala Kene
- Department of Midwifery, Madda Walabu University Goba General Hospital, Goba, Ethiopia
| | - Gudisa Tolosa
- Department of Medicine, Madda Walabu University Goba General Hospital, Goba, Ethiopia
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Abstract
Background Lingual abscesses have become extremely rare since the discovery of antibiotics, despite the relatively frequent exposure of tongue to bite trauma during mastication and seizures. It is a potentially life-threatening clinical entity. Even though there were some case reports on tongue abscess from overseas, none of them were reported from Africa, particularly from Ethiopia. Case presentation A 36-year-old male patient with severe, continuous pain and swelling of tongue for 6 weeks was presented to Goba Referral Hospital. The swelling was 2 cm by 1 cm, located on posterior central tongue, and frank pus oozed from the center of the swelling. He had associated dysphagia, odynophagia, and speech difficulty. He had no previous personal and family history of similar illness and tonsillitis. Gram staining revealed the presence of Gram-positive cocci in clusters. Pyogenic lingual abscess was the diagnosis. Treatment included incision and drainage with the administration of systemic antibiotics, which covered both aerobic and anaerobic organisms, and anti-pain drugs. The condition did not relapse in 6 months of follow-up. Conclusion Lingual abscess should be considered in patients presenting with tongue swelling, dysphagia, odynophagia, and speech difficulty. Since lingual abscess that occurs on the posterior part of the tongue has diagnostic difficulty, professionals in rural setup where diagnostic resources (such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging) are scarce should be careful not to misdiagnose it. Incision and drainage with the administration of systemic antibiotics and anti-pain drugs is an effective treatment option for lingual abscess.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kebebe Bekele
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Madda Walabu University, Bale Goba
| | - Desalegn Markos
- Department of Neonatology Nursing, St. Paul Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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