CAPILLARY LYMPHANGIOMA OF THE TONGUE COMPLICATED BY GLOSSITIS

Abstract

The eight children in this series had a syndrome of lingual capillary lymphangioma complicated by glossitis. Three with major lymphangiomas of the tongue and subglottic areas became symptom-free following surgical removal of the major lesion and electrodesiccation of the hemorrhagic lymphangiectasias on the tongue. Four of the remaining five, all of whom had major cystic hygromas of the neck, had partial glossectomy; one of these became asymptomatic. The four symptomatic children presented a recurrent syndrome of a painful edematous tongue characterized by the eruption on its surface of vesicles and hemorrhagic papillary lesions that could be relieved by electrodesiccation, which would be immediately followed by glossitis, edema and pain. Changes in the growth of the mandible and dentition also occurred.