Conventional lipoma in tongue with focal entrapment of muscle fibers: case report

Abstract

Objective: To report a case of conventional lipoma in the tongue, with focal entrapment of muscle f ibers, discussing clinicopathological and therapeutic characteristics. Case report: A 76-year-old white female patient was referred for evaluation of a painless swelling located in the tongue, that had evolved over a three-year period. Intraoral examination disclosed a yellowish, soft nodule located in the ventral and lateral border of the tongue, on the right side. The lesion, measuring approximately 2 cm, was covered by normal mucosa and exhibited well-defined limits. Under the diagnostic hypothesis of lipoma, an excisional biopsy was performed. Microscopic examination revealed proliferation of mature adipocytes separated by f ibrovascular connective tissue septa. The lesion, well-demarcated from the surrounding tissues, exhibited focal entrapment of striated muscle fibers. The definitive diagnosis was conventional lipoma. After 8 months of surgical excision, there was no recurrence. Conclusion: Conventional lipoma is an uncommon benign mesenchymal neoplasm in the tongue, which may exhibit focal entrapment of striated muscle fibers. Possibly, this feature is consequence of anatomical proximity between the lesion and muscle fibers in the region, not influencing the prognosis. Nevertheless, the importance of long-term follow-up of patients diagnosed with this benign neoplasm is highlighted.