Nodular fasciitis of the tongue.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nodular fasciitis is a non-neoplastic proliferation within the subcutaneous tissue and the deep fascia of the fibroblasts, probably of a reactive nature characterized by apparent infiltration of the connective tissues by a mitotically active spindle cell lesion. Nodular fasciitis in the head/neck region is rarely found and only 2 previous cases affecting the tongue have been reported. METHODS AND RESULTS: The purpose of this study was for us to report a very rare case of a 67-year-old man with a history of a 3-month subepithelial asymptomatic nodule of the tongue tip with an ulcerated surface. An excisional biopsy of the mass was performed with 0.5-mm surgical margins. CONCLUSION: The clinical and histological features of nodular fasciitis may mimic a head and neck malignancy, but it is often misdiagnosed as a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm. Even if it is a rare entity, nodular fasciitis should be considered in cases of rapidly growing masses of the head and neck region.