Oral lymphangioma: case report

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Lymphangioma is a change of lymphatic vessels that frequently affects the head and neck region. Its occurrence at oral cavity is rare and it is most commonly identified at the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. At this location, it is clinically characterized as transparent and generally grouped vesicles, which can be red or purple. The deep lesions appear as nodular masses of variable color and superficial texture. It can be classified according to the size of vessels into three types: capillary, cavernous, and cystic lymphangioma. Several types of treatment have been suggested; and the most commonly used treatments are: surgical excision, application of carbon dioxide laser, cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen, and sclerosing agents. Objective and case report: To describe a case of oral lymphangioma diagnosed in a 17-year-old female patient. The lesion was presented as multiple vesicles of soft consistency with thin epithelial lining and color ranging from translucent to yellow-reddish, involving the soft palate and the left retromolar region. Incisional biopsy confirmed the hypothesis of cavernous lymphangioma. Patient was followed-up for one year without signs of lesion relapse. Conclusion: Through this clinical case report and literature review, this study emphasizes the relevance of the clinical and histopathological features that should be considered to confirm the clinical hypothesis and indicate the proper therapeutic for oral lymphangiomas.