Uncommon Mucocele of the Ventral Tongue in a Child: A Minimally Invasive Diode Laser Approach

Abstract

Mucocele is one of the most common benign lesions of the oral cavity and results from the accumulation of saliva secondary to trauma or obstruction of the ducts of minor salivary glands. Although frequently encountered on the lower lip, mucoceles involving the ventral surface of the tongue are uncommon and usually arise from the glands of Blandin and Nuhn. Their unusual location often poses a diagnostic challenge and may lead to confusion with other soft tissue lesions of the oral cavity. The present report describes a rare case of a ventral tongue mucocele in a 7-year-old female child who presented with a progressively enlarging swelling on the ventral surface of the tongue of two months' duration. Clinical examination revealed a solitary, soft, fluctuant, non-tender swelling covered by intact mucosa. Based on the clinical findings, a provisional diagnosis of mucocele was made, and complete excision was performed using a diode laser under local anaesthesia. Histopathological examination demonstrated a cystic cavity devoid of an epithelial lining and surrounded by granulation tissue containing inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, blood vessels, and extravasated red blood cells, confirming the diagnosis of a mucus extravasation phenomenon. The postoperative healing was uneventful, and no recurrence was observed during follow-up. Laser-assisted excision provided excellent haemostasis, minimal tissue trauma, and enhanced patient comfort. This case highlights the importance of considering mucocele in the differential diagnosis of ventral tongue swellings in children and demonstrates the effectiveness of diode laser surgery as a minimally invasive treatment modality for lesions arising from the glands of Blandin and Nuhn.