Encapsulated Enigma: Surgical Resolution of a Lingual Lipoma Affecting Oral Functions

TL;DR

A rare case of a lingual lipoma, a benign fatty tumor on the tongue, was successfully treated with surgery, restoring normal oral function.

Contribution

This paper presents a rare clinical case of a lingual lipoma and highlights its successful management through surgical excision.

Findings

Lingual lipomas are extremely rare, accounting for less than 0.5% of tongue neoplasms.

Surgical excision under local anesthesia led to full functional recovery within two months.

Clinical assessment alone can be sufficient for diagnosis in selected cases.

Abstract

Lingual lipomas are uncommon benign tumors, accounting for < 0.5% of all tongue neoplasms, due to the limited adipose tissue in this region. They are usually asymptomatic and slow growing, which may delay detection. We report the case of a 50‐year‐old man with a 4‐year history of a painless, progressively enlarging submucosal mass on the ventral surface of the tongue. Clinical examination revealed a 3 × 3 cm sessile, yellowish, well‐circumscribed lesion with tense‐elastic consistency. Given its benign appearance, no preoperative imaging was performed. The lesion was surgically excised under local anesthesia, and histopathological analysis confirmed a conventional lipoma composed of mature adipocytes without atypia or lipoblasts. The patient recovered uneventfully and regained full oral function within 2 months. This case emphasizes the importance of including lingual lipomas in the differential diagnosis of tongue masses. It suggests that, in selected cases, clinical assessment alone may be sufficient for diagnosis and treatment planning.

Lingual lipomas are extremely rare due to the paucity of adipose tissue in the tongue, yet they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of submucosal oral lesions. Careful clinical evaluation may guide management, while surgical excision ensures definitive treatment and rapid functional recovery.

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