Plunging Ranulas and Prevalence of the "Tail Sign" in 126 Consecutive Cases.

OBJECTIVES: Plunging (or diving) ranulas are extravasation pseudocysts arising from the sublingual gland that present as soft submandibular swelling. The "tail sign" has been widely reported as pathognomonic for their diagnosis. It is described as a smooth tapering comet-shaped unilocular fluid mass with its "tail" in the collapsed sublingual space (SLS) and its "head" in the posterior submandibular space. This sign is based on the premise that extravasated saliva from the sublingual gland in the SLS escapes and plunges, over the posterior edge of the mylohyoid muscle into the submandibular space. Therefore, some fluid must be present in the posterior SLS in almost all patients with plunging ranulas. This study aimed to determine the frequency of fluid seen with ultrasound (US) in the posterior SLS to corroborate the tail sign. METHODS: A total of 126 consecutive cases of surgically proven plunging ranulas were investigated with US over 13 years. The findings were reviewed retrospectively for the prevalence of fluid in the posterior SLS. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (10.3%) showed SLS fluid on US images. Most showed fluid extension through a mylohyoid dehiscence. Only 2 patients (1.6%) showed fluid within the posterior SLS, and 1 patient alone in this entire study showed all of the components of the classically described tail sign. CONCLUSIONS: This largest ever radiologic study showed low prevalence of the tail sign in 2 of 126 patients. A mylohyoid dehiscence was the more common route for extravasation. Absence of the tail sign does not exclude the diagnosis of a plunging ranula.

Sonographicdetectionof a metastatic lingual lymph node in a patient with tongue cancer.

A 41-year-old male was diagnosed with tongue cancer. Preoperative imaging revealed no metastatic lymph nodes. Intraoperative sonography detected a minute hypoechoic lesion in the sublingual space. A pea-sized mass was found during dissection of that space and histopathology revealed a metastatic lymph node. The lingual lymph node should routinely be evaluated sonographically prior to surgical resection of tongue cancer.

Topographical relationship between positions of lingual foramina and attachment of mylohyoid muscle in mental region.

PURPOSE: Lingual foramina can be observed between the lingual aspects of the mandible in humans. A sublingual artery is thought to exist in sublingual space and a submental artery in submaxillary space, which pierce the mandible through lingual foramina. During surgery for oral implant placement between apices of the mental foramen, it is important to determine the existence and positioning of lingual foramina. The purpose of this study was to investigate the positions of lingual foramina in relation to the mylohyoid muscle and vertical position of the mylohyoid line using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. METHODS: We examined 20 formalin-perfused cadavers. The mylohyoid muscle was dissected and marked with a silicone tube, then CBCT images were obtained to evaluate the relationship of that muscle with lingual foramina. RESULTS: We observed 37 lingual foramina in the 20 cadavers. As for vertical positioning, 16 lingual foramina were found in sublingual space, while in horizontal positioning, 6 were found in the anterior region of sublingual space. The ratio of vertical distance from the inferior margin to the mylohyoid line and mental spine was lower in the anterior region as compared to the posterior region. CONCLUSION: In this study, lingual foramina were found to commonly exist in sublingual space above the mylohyoid muscle and pierce the mesial side. For evaluation of the vertical position of the mylohyoid line, it is better to use the stable mental spine rather than the alveolar process.

Imaging evaluation of the benign and malignant lesions of the floor of the mouth: Pictorial review.

The floor of the mouth is an important anatomical region of the oral cavity where primary benign and malignant disease processes can originate or secondary pathologies can extend into adjacent spaces. Knowledge of the anatomy is crucial for accurate localisation of pathology and understanding the spread of disease. The sublingual space is the dominant component of the floor of the mouth, bounded inferiorly by the mylohyoid muscle that separates it from the submandibular space. Imaging is immensely important to characterise and map the extent of disease, considering the fact that the bulk of the disease may be submucosal and not visible on clinical inspection. Contribution: The floor of the mouth is a complex anatomical region for radiological evaluation. The purpose of this pictorial review is to present an understanding of the relevant anatomy and to demonstrate the role and appropriate application of different imaging modalities. This article highlights the imaging spectrum of a wide range of various benign conditions including normal variants and a variety of malignant lesions at different tumour stages, with an aim to establish the correct diagnosis, avoid misinterpretation and help in treatment planning.

Structural analysis of the mylohyoid muscle as a septum dividing the floor of the oral cavity for the purposes of dental implant surgery: variety of muscle attachment positions and ranges of distribution.

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to investigate the details of the attachments of the mylohyoid muscle to the mandible anterior to the hyoid and mylohyoid lines to understand the positional relationship between the sublingual space and the mylohyoid, knowledge that is essential for dental implant surgery in the incisal region, as well as the routes of communication between the sublingual space and other spaces. METHODS: While evaluating the presence or absence of an anterior mylohyoid muscle fiber attachment to the mandible, sublingual gland herniation, spaces between muscle fascicles were also recorded as sites of penetration. The mean muscle thickness in each of these areas was also calculated. RESULTS: In all specimens, the mylohyoid originated not only from the mylohyoid line but also from the lingual surface of the center of the mandibular body (the mandibular symphysis) below the mental spines. The mylohyoid muscle fascicles were thickest in the posterior region, and further anterior to this, they tended to become thinner. Sublingual gland herniations passing through the mylohyoid were noted in the anterior and central regions, but not in the posterior region. Penetration between the muscle fascicles was most common in the central region, and no such penetration was evident in the posterior region. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the mylohyoid functions only incompletely as a septum, and that routes of communication from the sublingual space to the submandibular space may be present in both the anterior and central muscle fascicles of the mylohyoid. Therefore, bleeding complications during dental implant placement in the anterior mandible can be serious issues. There is a potential for sublingual hematoma that could compromise the airway by pressing the tongue against the soft palate into the pharynx.

Massive low-grade myxoid liposarcoma of the floor of the mouth: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Oral liposarcoma is an extremely rare lesion that is often clinically misdiagnosed as a benign tumor due to its asymptomatic and indolent clinical course. Here, we report a case of massive low-grade myxoid liposarcoma (MLS) of the floor of the mouth. CASE SUMMARY: A 71-year-old man presented with a huge mass in the left floor of the mouth. A biopsy was performed, and a diagnosis of a myxoid tumor suspicious for low-grade MLS or myxoma was made. Gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed an intensely enhanced tumor lesion that occupies the left sublingual space and extends to the submandibular space. Submandibular dissection, tumor resection, and reconstruction with a radial forearm flap were performed. The surgical specimen exhibited histologically low-grade MLS. Fused in sarcoma (FUS, also known as TLS) and DNA damage-inducible transcript 3 (DDIT3, also known as CHOP) break-apart was not detected in the fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis. The tumor was completely encapsulated and did not require additional treatment. Furthermore, no recurrence was reported 40 mo after surgery. CONCLUSION: We experienced an extremely rare, massive, low-grade MLS emerging from the floor of the mouth. Oftentimes, an MLS of the floor of the mouth lacks significant clinical findings and is often misdiagnosed. Although no FUS-DDIT3 fusion gene was detected, a low-grade MLS was ultimately diagnosed based on the histological findings.

Intraoral Management of Latrogenic Tooth Displacement: A Report of Two Cases and a Brief Review of Literature.

Iatrogenic displacement of a tooth or tooth fragment is a rare but well-recognized complication that occurs during exodontia. The most common sites of dislodgment of a mandibular third molar fragment are the sublingual, submandibular, and pterygomandibular and lateral pharyngeal spaces. Removal of a displaced tooth from these spaces may be complex due to poor visualization and limited access. A thorough evaluation of all significant risk factors along with precise localization of the tooth by clinical and radiographic means should be performed to prevent untoward complications. This paper reports two cases of iatrogenic displacement of mandibular third molar teeth, in the sublingual space and lingual pouch. Both the cases were managed intraorally under general anesthesia, and the postoperative healing was satisfactory and uncomplicated. A brief review of literature is also provided in this paper.

Dexamethasone Injection Into Pterygomandibular Space Versus Sublingual Space on Post-Operative Sequalae of Lower Third Molar Intervention.

BACKGROUND: The surgical removal of lower third molar is still the most common surgical procedure that is done in oral and maxillofacial surgery field and creates the predictable post-operative sequelae such as pain, swelling, stiffness and difficulty in mouth opening. The purpose of this study is to compare pre-operative dexamethasone injection into pterygomandibular space (PGS) and sublingual space (SLS) in lower third molar intervention of post-operative pain, swelling, and limited mouth opening. METHODS: This study is the split-mouth, randomized crossover clinical trial in 30 healthy patients (mean age 21 years). These patients had similar bilateral lower third molar impactions. The patients were randomly divided into two groups receiving either 8-mg dexamethasone injection into SLS or PGS with the 4-week washout period intervention. Clinical assessment of facial swelling and maximum mouth opening was performed before operation and on day 2 and day 7 after operation. The post-operative pain was also measured by patients' response on pain visual analogue scale (VAS) on the first, second and third day after intervention. RESULTS: There is no significant difference between PGS group and SLS group in pain and swelling on the second and seventh day after operation. However, PGS group showed a greater degree of limited mouth opening than SLS group on the second day after operation. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that 8-mg dexamethasone injection into PGS or SLS was not different in reduction of pain, swelling, and limited mouth opening. This result suggests that dexamethasone injection into PGS or SLS is similarly effective.

Magnetic resonance imaging: A predictor of pathological tumor dimensions in carcinoma of anterior two-thirds of tongue - A prospective evaluation.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative imaging is mandatory for deciding the extent of surgery in tumors of oral tongue. Previous studies have shown the significance of depth of tumor invasion in predicting nodal involvement. AIM: This prospective study aimed to assess the correlation between tumor dimensions in all three planes obtained through preoperative imaging and histopathological findings, as well as the correlation between these and pathological node positivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-nine consecutive patients with nonmetastatic, operable, squamous cell carcinoma of anterior two-thirds of the tongue were included in the study. Preoperative imaging findings were compared with pathological findings and analyzed. RESULTS: Histopathological dimensions were concordant with imaging findings. Anteroposterior, transverse, and craniocaudal (CC) dimensions obtained through imaging showed a significant correlation with corresponding pathological findings (0.730, 0.621, 0.810, respectively; P < 0.001). Among all three, only CC dimension showed a significant correlation with pathological nodal involvement (odds ratio [OR] = 7.875, P = 0.03, relative risk = 0.236). Pathological tumor thickness of >3 mm had a positive predictive value of 54.9% for nodal involvement (OR = 7.875, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: With widespread availability of state-of-the-art magnetic resonance (MR) scanners, CC dimension needs to be emphasized as the most significant prognostic tumor parameter. Recent evidence, including our study, suggests that MR imaging is concordant with pathological findings, justifying its use in the pretreatment evaluation of oral tongue lesions.

Paralingual and sublingual space invasion in magnetic resonance imaging of squamous cell carcinoma of anterior two-thirds of tongue: Is there a prognostic significance? A prospective evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in tumors of anterior two-thirds of tongue has a significant role in assessing different tumor parameters, and in prognosticating. AIM: This prospective study conducted in a tertiary cancer care center, focused on patients with squamous cell carcinoma of anterior two-thirds of tongue. The significance of invasion of paralingual and sublingual spaces in relation to the pathological grade of these tumors, and its predictive value in pathological nodal involvement were analyzed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients with the required inclusion criteria were accrued. Imaging was done with 3 Tesla MRI and invasion of sublingual and paralingual spaces were accurately assessed. Data elucidated were tabulated and analysed using IBM SPSS version 20.0. Chi-square test, nonparametric correlation using Spearman's Rho correlation, and two-independent sample test using Mann-Whitney's U-test were used to arrive at correlations between the imaging and histopathological parameters. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were analyzed. Mean age was 52.3 ± 11.45 years. 74.6% were males. MRI showed sublingual space invasion in 47.6%. 18/28 with and 11/33 without invasion had node positivity. Paralingual space involvement was observed in 31.7% of patients. Thirteen of these and 16/43 with no involvement had positive cervical nodes. No statistically significant correlation was observed. CONCLUSION: This prospective study did not establish any statistically sound correlation, and robust data are lacking to support newer parameters such as sublingual space and paralingual space as probable predictors of cervical nodal involvement, and for prognostication.

Spontaneous sublingual space hematoma secondary to hypertension: A case report and review of literature.

Sublingual hematoma is a rare complication of oral anticoagulant use. Spontaneous sublingual hematoma secondary to hypertension is even rarer and their management remains enigmatic. We present such a case that we successfully managed conservatively along with a review of relevant literatures.

Intraoral management of iatrogenically displaced lower third molar roots in the sublingual space: a report of 2 cases.

Surgical removal of the mandibular third molars is one of the most common procedures performed by dentists, as well as by oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Accidental displacement of teeth or roots into the fascial spaces, during surgical removal of the mandibular third molars, is a rare, but serious complication. Herein, we present 2 cases of iatrogenically displaced mandibular third molar roots into the sublingual space, which were successfully removed under local anesthesia intraorally. In addition to methods to minimize the risk of accidental tooth or root displacement, the importance of recognizing this complication and the methods of retrieval are also discussed.

The Challenges of Treating Lipoblastoma in the Sublingual Space – A Case Report

@#The presence of lobulated tumour arising from immature adipose tissue is called lipoblastoma when occurring as localised or discrete lesion, and lipoblastomatosis when spread diffusely. The purpose of this case study is to report a case of an 18 – year old man who presented with lipoblastoma in the left sublingual space which was found to be in close proximity with the left sublingual gland. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was taken and showed the tumour was confined within the sublingual space and no penetration was noted inferiorly through the mylohyoid muscle. Tumour dimension measured clinically was 3 cm x 2 cm x 2 cm and the anterior margin of the tumour crossed the midline and entered into the right sublingual space. Complete excision with sparing of neurovascular bundle was performed under general anaesthesia. Follow-up of 2 months showed complete remission of the lesion without any complications.