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

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Abstract

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.

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The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan

    Yusuke Miyasaka, Takashi Hiyama, Hirofumi Kuno & Tatsushi Kobayashi

  2. Department of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan

    Takeshi Shinozaki & Toshifumi Tomioka

  3. Division of Pathology, Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial, National Cancer Center, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan

    Shingo Sakashita

Authors
  1. Yusuke Miyasaka
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  2. Takashi Hiyama
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  3. Hirofumi Kuno
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  4. Takeshi Shinozaki
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  5. Toshifumi Tomioka
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  6. Shingo Sakashita
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  7. Tatsushi Kobayashi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Takashi Hiyama.

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Miyasaka, Y., Hiyama, T., Kuno, H. et al. Imaging of salivary gland cancers derived from a sublingual gland herniated into the submandibular space: a report of three cases. Neuroradiology (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-024-03360-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-024-03360-9

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