20 Aug 2024Review
Presentation, Radiologic Features, and Treatment Options of Congenital Tongue Tumors: A Comprehensive Review
Antonino Maniaci 1Luigi Via 2Salvatore Lavalle 1Mario Lentini 3Piero Pavone 4Giannicola Iannella 5Salvatore Cocuzza 6
Affiliations
Article Info
1 Department of Medicine and Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Enna “Kore”, 94100 Enna, Italy
2 Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University Hospital Policlinico-San Marco, 24046 Catania, Italy
3 ASP Ragusa-Hospital Giovanni Paolo II, 97100 Ragusa, Italy
4 Section of Pediatrics and Child Neuropsychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, Italy
5 Department of Organi di Senso, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
6 Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, ENT Section, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 95100 Catania, Italy
Published: 20 Aug 2024
Copyright © 2024 The Author(s).
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
AIM: Congenital tumors of the tongue are rare in pediatric patients but encompass a diverse range of entities. Each tumor type exhibits distinct clinical behaviors, necessitating a precise approach to differentiating the tumor types and a tailored, tumor-specific treatment regimen. Advanced imaging techniques, such as diffusion-weighted imaging and perfusion studies, play a vital role in differentiating benign and malignant tongue tumors. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the presentation, imaging features, and treatment of congenital tongue tumors. METHODS: A literature review was conducted by searching studies on congenital tongue tumors in databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus. Relevant data, such as clinical features, radiologic characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes for different tumor types, were extracted from the selected articles. RESULTS: Our literature review reveals the various entities of congenital tongue tumors, which can be categorized in terms of hereditary pattern, phenotype, and rarity. Congenital tongue tumors include a range of vascular malformations, such as hemangiomas, lymphatic malformations, arteriovenous malformations, and venous malformations. Another entity is represented by cystic lesions, including dermoid cysts, epidermoid cysts, ranulas, and mucous retention cysts. Rare malignant neoplasms include teratomas and rhabdomyosarcomas. These tumor types vary in terms of swelling, respiratory distress, or impaired oral function, depending on size and location. The detection of these tumors can be carried out using imaging modalities, such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography, which are utilized to facilitate diagnosis and differentiation. At present, surgical excision remains the cornerstone of treatment, while other modalities may be adopted, depending on tumor type and extent. The prognosis of congenital tongue tumors can be affected by tumor's site, size, involvement of vital structures, and malignancy. CONCLUSIONS: Given their diversity and complexity, congenital tongue tumors, albeit uncommon, require specialized clinical treatments tailored to each tumor type's characteristics. Understanding the variable presentations and imaging features enables accurate diagnosis, while customized treatment strategies are key to optimizing outcomes and minimizing morbidity in pediatric tongue tumors. This review summarizes current knowledge aimed at enhancing differential diagnosis and management of these diverse entities.
Keywords
- congenital tongue tumors
- diagnosis and management
- imaging features
- pediatric patients
- tailored approach