Unilateral tongue mass after iatrogenic lingual nerve injury: A case report

Abstract Backgroud: This is the first report of hemangioma as a long-term complication of iatrogenic lingual nerve injury during submandibular gland extirpation. Case presentation: A 69-year-old woman presented with a tongue mass, which had grown slowly over 20 years. Submandibular gland (SMG) extirpation performed 40 years prior. MRI and CT revealed evidence of SMG extirpation. In addition, MRI and CT also revealed several enhancing lesions (hemangiomas) in the right sublingual space, as well as in the right anterior part of the tongue. An electrodiagnostic study showed right-sided lingual neuropathy. Psychosensory taste test showed taste disturbance in the affected side tongue. Conclusions: It should be considered to the lingual nerve preservation during the sublingual gland extirpation. It might cause the secondary traumatic pathology.