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Rampi A, Tettamanti A, Bertotto I, Comini LV, Howardson BO, Luparello P, Di Santo D, Bondi S. Atypical Tongue Abscesses Mimicking Submucosal Malignancies: A Review of the Literature Focusing on Diagnostic Challenges. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:5871. [PMID: 38136415 PMCID: PMC10741429 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Tongue abscesses are rare conditions that usually follow mucosal disruption due to mechanical trauma or foreign body impaction. They typically manifest abruptly as a rapidly growing, hard mass or swelling in the context of tongue muscles; the patient frequently complains of pain, difficulties in swallowing or speaking, and fever. Nonetheless, the features of its presentation, together with accurate clinical evaluation, blood tests, and appropriate imaging tests, are usually sufficient to easily discern a tongue abscess from a malignancy. However, in rare cases, they may occur with slowly progressing and subtle symptoms, nuanced objective and laboratory findings, and inconclusive radiological evidence, leading to difficult differential diagnosis with submucosal malignancy. Herein, we review the literature, available on Pubmed, Embase, and Scopus, on publications reporting tongue abscesses, with atypical presentation suggesting an oral tumor. Our review confirms that tongue abscesses may manifest as a slowly growing and moderately painful swelling without purulent discharge and minimal mucosal inflammation; in this case, they may constitute an actual diagnostic challenge with potentially severe impact on correct management. Atypical tongue abscesses must therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of tongue malignancy with submucosal extension, even when other diagnostic elements suggest a neoplasia; in this case, a deep biopsy under general anesthesia is essential for differential diagnosis, and simultaneous drainage of the necrotic and abscessual material may resolve the condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Rampi
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Division of Head and Neck Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (A.R.); (A.T.); (B.O.H.)
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Tettamanti
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Division of Head and Neck Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (A.R.); (A.T.); (B.O.H.)
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Bertotto
- Radiology Unit, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, 10060 Turin, Italy;
| | - Lara Valentina Comini
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Head and Neck Surgery, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, 10060 Turin, Italy; (L.V.C.); (P.L.); (D.D.S.)
| | - Bright Oworae Howardson
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Division of Head and Neck Department, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy; (A.R.); (A.T.); (B.O.H.)
- School of Medicine, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Paolo Luparello
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Head and Neck Surgery, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, 10060 Turin, Italy; (L.V.C.); (P.L.); (D.D.S.)
| | - Davide Di Santo
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Head and Neck Surgery, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, 10060 Turin, Italy; (L.V.C.); (P.L.); (D.D.S.)
| | - Stefano Bondi
- Otorhinolaryngology Unit, Head and Neck Surgery, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, 10060 Turin, Italy; (L.V.C.); (P.L.); (D.D.S.)
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Carotenuto A, Menke B, Jolton J, Dowdall JR. Recurrent Lingual Abscess in an Elderly Female With Bulbar Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Cureus 2022; 14:e28280. [PMID: 36158411 PMCID: PMC9492446 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.28280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
A lingual abscess is a rare condition that was scarcely described in clinical textbooks. A lingual abscess recurrence is rare and has only been described twice in the literature. Typically, the tongue and oral cavity have multiple intrinsic properties which stave off intralingual infection; however, there may be situations in which these properties are compromised, as demonstrated in oro-motor disability. Lingual abscesses have the potential to develop into catastrophic obstructive airway issues; therefore, early detection and management are paramount. The following is a presentation of an elderly female with Bulbar Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) treated conservatively for a lingual abscess with recurrence at eleven months post-treatment. Due to her baseline neuromuscular disorder and elevated anesthesia risk, she was treated in the interventional radiology suite with drain placement and Povidone-Iodine sclerotherapy under conscious sedation with excellent results.
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Mesolella M, Allosso S, Iorio B, Motta G. Clinical and Diagnostic Aspect of Tongue Abscess. EAR, NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL 2020; 100:1012S-1014S. [PMID: 32527144 DOI: 10.1177/0145561320933961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Mesolella
- Department of Neurosciences, "Federico II" University, ENT Section, Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Allosso
- Department of Neurosciences, "Federico II" University, ENT Section, Naples, Italy
| | - Brigida Iorio
- Department of Neurosciences, "Federico II" University, ENT Section, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaetano Motta
- Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, Head and Neck Surgery Unit, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli," Campania, Italy
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Lingual Abscess: Predisposing Factors, Pathophysiology, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Management. Int J Otolaryngol 2018; 2018:4504270. [PMID: 30524479 PMCID: PMC6247437 DOI: 10.1155/2018/4504270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Lingual abscess is a rare disorder, and current knowledge regarding clinical manifestations and treatment modalities has not been well established. This study presented 6 cases of lingual abscess patients between January 2012 and December 2017. There were three men and three women. Median age was 54 years. Odynophagia and local pain were the common presenting symptoms. Local trauma was the main predisposing factor of anterior abscess, while lingual tonsillitis or infected thyroglossal cyst was the predisposing factor of posterior abscess. An impending airway obstruction was identified in two patients, requiring tracheostomy. All patients achieved an excellent outcome with a combination of surgical drainage and proper antibiotics as well as using proper investigation for detecting unusual areas of lingual abscess. According to the data from the study's results and review of the relevant literature, an abscess located at the anterior two-thirds of the tongue is easy to diagnose while the posterior one-third of the tongue abscess is relative difficulty. Using contrast-enhanced computed tomography increases diagnostic accuracy, especially on the tongue base and deep space infection. The management strategies include (1) protecting the airway, (2) draining the abscess by needle aspiration or surgery, and (3) administering antibiotics early. Our series showed a superiority of surgical drainage when the patients present with marked tissue edema, deep loculated infection, and airway obstruction.
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