Voluminous Myoepithelioma of the Minor Salivary Glands Involving the Base of the Tongue

Abstract EN

Myoepithelioma is an extremely rare tumour subtype and diagnosis is based on a wide variation of cellular morphology.

FNAC specimens do not always suffice for a definitive differential diagnosis which depends on histology and immunohistochemistry of the lesion.

Case Presentation.

A 54-year-old female came to our attention with dysphagia and dyslalia of 6-month standing.

Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) examination revealed a voluminous mass on the right portion of the base of her tongue, where postcontrast T2-weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) evidenced a hyperintense lesion.

The fine-needle aspiration specimen taken for cytology was not diagnostic, as a differential diagnosis between myoepithelioma and a malignant neoplasm of the salivary glands necessitates parameters that cytology alone cannot provide.

Therefore, the whole lesion was excised by diode laser through a transoral approach.

Histology and immunohistochemistry of the completely excised lesion confirmed a myoepithelioma.