Cystic Lymphangioma on the Floor of the Oral Cavity Extending to the Submandibular Region in Adult Patients

Abstract

Lymphatic malformation (ML), formerly called cystic lymphangioma is a benign hamartomatous tumor of lymphatic vessels. The onset of lymphangiomas is either at birth (60% to 70%) or up to two years of age (90%) and rare in adults. These malformations can occur in any region of the body, Lymphangiomas have marked predilection for the head and neck region (50%-70%). The most common location in the mouth is the dorsum of tongue. If the positive diagnosis is generally easy, the therapeutic management remains controversial. We report the clinical case of a 23-year-old adult patient with cystic lymphangioma on the floor of the oral cavity extending gradually to the right submandibular region. The clinically suspected tumor was thoroughly explored using tomodensitometry. The treatment consisted of complete resection by a cervicotomy with histological examination confirming the macroscopic diagnosis of cystic lymphangioma. Follow-up at 3 years showed no recurrence.