Acinic cell carcinoma on the lower lip resembling a mucocele

A challenging diagnosis of a mucocele in the maxillary gingiva: Case report and literature review

INTRODUCTION

Mucoceles are mucous extravasation phenomena resulting from spontaneous ductal rupture or, less commonly, a traumatic cutting of a salivary excretory duct. Occasionally, the appearance of a mucocele closely resembles a neoplastic lesion, and it can be difficult to diagnose.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 74-year-old Japanese male patient was referred to our clinic with painless swelling related to the upper right canine-premolar area. Preoperative imaging of the lesion revealed that it was fluid-filled and the histopathological biopsy suggested a myxoid tumor. We excised the lesion with the patient under general anesthesia, using safety margins based on the histology of the biopsy specimen to reach the definitive diagnosis and treatment. The final pathological diagnosis was a mucocele in the vicinity with an aberrant small salivary gland. Follow-up visits showed complete healing of the epithelium, and no recurrence has been observed during the subsequent 30 months.

DISCUSSION

In cases with a difficult definitive diagnosis based on medical history, diagnostic imaging and pathological examination, it is important to proceed carefully with the possibility of a tumor in mind.

CONCLUSION

This case emphasizes that some mucous cysts are challenging for clinicians in terms of diagnosis and treatment due to an uncommon presentation.

Rare case of a massive buccal mucocele

Mucoceles are common pathological lesions of the oral cavity, usually measuring up to 10 mm. The authors describe a case of deeply located buccal mucocele measuring 35 mm in diameter. The lesion was caused by facial injury in a 54-year old man. The lesion persisted for approximately 2.5 years and was difficult to diagnose because of its unusual size and atypical clinical symptoms. Preoperative ultrasonography excluded a tumor, and this was confirmed by histopathological examination. However, oncological alertness was considered necessary on account of ulcerated mucosa next to the lesion. The mucocele was removed through surgical excision, using a scalpel and tissue scissors. No recurrence was observed in 2.5 postoperative years. It is stressed that histopathological examinations help to differentiate mucoceles from other disease processes.

Nasal acinic cell carcinoma in a cat

This case report describes the clinical, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-related, and pathologic features of a nasal acinic cell carcinoma in a cat. A 16-year-old, castrated male, oriental shorthaired cat, weighing 3.8 kg, was presented with history of sneezing, coughing, and nasal discharge persisting several months. Evaluation by MRI revealed an heterogeneous, space-occupying lesion that filled the left nasal cavity and was diagnosed by histopathologic examination as an acinic cell carcinoma arising from a minor salivary gland of the nasal cavity. Acinic cell carcinoma is a rare tumor in veterinary medicine. The tumor is composed mainly of cells resembling serous cells of salivary glands and originates from major or minor salivary glands. Clinicians and pathologists should be aware of the occurrence of acinic cell carcinoma in the sinonasal tract and include the tumor in the differential diagnosis of feline nasal diseases.

Acinic cell carcinoma of the submandibular salivary gland presenting as a large cyst

Acinic cell carcinomas are rare tumours of salivary gland origin, most commonly seen in middle-aged women and predominantly in the parotid gland. The case of a long-standing, predominantly cystic, acinic cell carcinoma located in the submandibular gland of a child is presented here. The tumour was successfully removed and there has been no recurrence.