Mucoepidermoid carcinoma mimicking a mucocele (ranula) in the floor of the mouth.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma mimicking a mucocele (ranula) in the floor of the mouth.

Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2017 Dec 12;:20170331

Authors: Sousa Melo SL, Lanzel E, Pagedar NA, Alhazmi D, Dahmoush L, Policeni BA, Campos MS

Abstract
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common salivary gland malignancy. The submandibular gland is rarely involved, about less than 10% of all other major salivary glands. We report a case of a 49 year-old female who presented with a mass on the left side of the floor of the mouth. She was complaining of neck pain for the last 2-3 days and had noticed the mass growing in size and becoming tender to palpation. There was no exacerbation of pain during eating, drinking or opening of mouth. A multidetector computed tomography scan was made. The radiographic examination revealed a mostly well-defined hypodense area suggestive of mucocele (ranula), which was thought to be corroborated by the clinical findings. The treatment of choice was the complete excision of the mucocele and the left submandibular salivary gland. The histopathological examination surprisingly revealed a low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma. No further treatment was recommended; however, a follow-up was scheduled in 4 months. This atypical location of mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the floor of the mouth simulated the clinical and radiographic features of a mucocele. This case highlights the value and importance of using all the available diagnostic tools and modalities for optimal patient management, as the histopathological analysis played an important role to confirm the diagnosis.

PMID: 29231036 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

from #MedicinebyAlexandrosSfakianakis via xlomafota13 on Inoreader http://ift.tt/2j0LqIH
via IFTTT