February 28, 2020
https://doi.org/10.23999/j.dtomp.2020.2.5
J Diagn Treat Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2020;4(2):39–40.
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HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Fesenko II. Abscess of the left tongue. J Diagn Treat Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2020;4(2):39–40.
ARTICLE
A 37-year-old Caucasian male was referred to the center of maxillofacial surgery with a painful swelling of the left tongue (Panel A, arrows: anterior tongue view), its painful movements, and fever during last several days. Patient told that 5 days before he traumatized the left surface of the tongue by a fish bone which he removed by himself. After that he did not seek any medical help, did not use rinsing with antiseptic solutions, and medications.
Panel A. A painful swelling of the left tongue.
Intraoral examination showed an extremely poor oral hygiene: dental calculi and plaque on the teeth, yellowish plaque on the tongue dorsum. Left part of the mobile tongue had a round shape, firm, and painful swelling (Panel B, arrows: left lateral tongue view). On its left lateral surface was also noticed a wound (Panel B, arrowhead) on a stage of healing with no draining pus. A diagnosis of a “fish bone-induced abscess of the left tongue” (synonyms of tongue abscess: lingual abscess, glossal abscess) was established and the patient received surgery under local anesthesia.
Panel B. Left part of the mobile tongue had a round shape, firm, and painful swelling (arrows). On its left lateral surface was also noticed a wound (arrowhead) on a stage of healing with no draining pus.
Abscess lancing was performed along the lateral border of the tongue by making 2.0-cm incision with blunt evacuation of 4.5 ml of purulent content and draining for 2 days by a rubber drain. 5-day antibiotic therapy, meticulous oral hygiene, and rinsing with antiseptic solution were prescribed. The patient immediately felt relief after surgery, and had no complaints after 5 days of treatment. Wound is healed by secondary intention. Tongue abscess is a rare condition which usually involves one of the anatomic parts of tongue parenchyma: left part, right part of the tongue or its base. Unlike the first two anatomic areas, lancing the abscess of the tongue base requires extraoral approach in submental area. ■ DTJournal.org