Imaging of salivary gland cancers derived from a sublingual gland herniated into the submandibular space: a report of three cases

• Published in: Neuroradiology Vol. 66; no. 6; pp. 931 - 935
• Main Authors: Miyasaka, Yusuke, Hiyama, Takashi, Kuno, Hirofumi, Shinozaki, Takeshi, Tomioka, Toshifumi, Sakashita, Shingo, Kobayashi, Tatsushi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-06-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adenoid; Body fat; Cancer; Cancer therapies; Carcinoma; Carotid arteries; Case Report; Cellular biology; Defects; Exocrine glands; Imaging; Lymphatic system; Medical imaging; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metastasis; Muscles; Neurology; Neuroradiology; Neurosciences; Neurosurgery; Oral cancer; Pathology; Patients; Radiation therapy; Radiology; Salivary gland; Salivary glands; Submandibular gland; Surgery; Tumors; Mylohyoid muscle; Herniated; Salivary gland cancer; MRI; Sublingual gland
• ISSN: 0028-3940; 1432-1920; 1432-1920
• DOI: 10.1007/s00234-024-03360-9

Sublingual gland herniation into the submandibular space through a mylohyoid muscle defect is a common anatomical variation; however, salivary gland cancers that arise from a herniated sublingual gland have not been described yet. Here, we report three patients with salivary gland cancers originating from a herniated sublingual gland. All tumors were detected as palpable submandibular masses, located anterior to the submandibular gland, medial to the mandible, and lateral to the mylohyoid muscle, with contact with the sublingual gland through a mylohyoid muscle defect. Intraoperative findings confirmed that the masses were derived from herniated sublingual glands. Pathological examination showed one case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma and two cases of adenoid cystic carcinoma. Imaging findings of the tumor location, in addition to the continuity with the sublingual gland through the mylohyoid muscle defect, are crucial for accurately diagnosing the tumor origin, which is essential for determining the appropriate clinical management.