Oral Lymphangioma
Lymphangiomas are hamartomatous lesions affecting the lymphatic system. It results from malformations that develop from sequestration of lymphatic tissue, which does not relay responses with other lymphatic channels. Most of the cases of oral lymphangioma are present at birth; however, 90% of the cases develop before two years (Parikh, Robert & Johnson, 2018). In the oral cavity, they are located in the dorsum of the tongue, lips, soft palate, buccal mucosa, and floor of the mouth. Clinically, the appearance of the lymphangioma lesions depends on its extension in the region it is located. They manifest as plaque that is constituted from small vesicles. Part of the vesicles has clear content called the lymph. However, part of it has blood, thus suggesting the co-existence of lymphatic anomalies with blood vessel abnormalities. Lesions appear as masses of diffuse growth. Such depends on the anatomical location, which defines the damages such as swelling of the tissues, upper airways obstruction, pain, jaws deformity, and difficulties in mastication. Differential diagnosis includes oral lesions such as dermoid, granular cell tumor, teratoma, and amyloidosis, which causes macroglossia (Parikh, Robert & Johnson, 2018).
Histopathological of oral lymphangiomas are characterized by lymphatic vessels, which are marked dilatations. The vessels of the areas affected by the lesions are infiltrated to the adjacent soft tissues, and also the epithelial lining is thin. In some cases, the secondary hemorrhage may be observed in the lymphatic vessels. They are various treatment modalities of lymphangiomas such as surgical radiation, sclerotherapy, ligation, and laser surgery. Successful treatment of oral lymphangiomas requires the inclusion of borders surrounding the normal tissue. However, the physician should ensure that the vital structures are not affected — the most preferred treatment of laser surgery since it causes less bleeding as compared to other methods.
Reference
Parikh, K. Robert, R. Johnson, W. (2018). Oral Lymphangiomas-Medscape (eMedicine). Retrieved from; https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1076948-overview#a5.