An Oral Cavity Mass in a 5-Year-Old Girl.
Victor N Oboli, Oscar Ivan De La Rosa Alba, Muhammad Waseem
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
Case in brief
A 5-year-old girl presented with a progressively enlarging oral mass, leading to impaired speech, dysphagia, and intermittent mucosal bleeding. Despite being tachycardic, she maintained adequate oxygenation. Examination revealed macroglossia and mandibulomegaly. Imaging identified a large cervicofacial mass, and biopsy confirmed a microcystic lymphatic malformation. Management included transfusion, nutritional support, sclerotherapy, lymphatic embolization, and partial glossectomy.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Clinicians should be aware that children with extensive cervicofacial lymphatic malformations may appear stable while harboring high-risk airway anatomy, necessitating careful monitoring and assessment.
Why it matters
This case highlights the importance of early multidisciplinary consultation and the need for controlled imaging in managing complex airway cases in pediatric patients.