“Sublingual Lipoma: A report of a challenging diagnosis ”

Patients presenting with swelling arising from the floor of the mouth (FOM) should be examined prudently, with the aid of appropriate diagnostic modalities such as ultrasonography, ultrasound guided aspirational biopsy, CT with contrast or MRI. Clinicians should include even the rare occurrences, like lipomas, especially while categorising intra‐oral lesions because this can impede appropriate surgical planning, which can consequently cause recurrence or even malignant transformation of the lesion. This case report presents a painless sublingual lipoma situated on the left side of the FOM. The size gradually increased and eventually interfered with the movement of tongue and swallowing that was initially attributed as either sublingual cyst (dermoid/epidermoid) or ranula. Although lipomas are considered to originate at any site in the body, their incidence in the oral cavity is rare (1%–4%). In the present case, a sublingual lipoma presented as a painless and slow‐growing swelling located on the left side of FOM associated with restricted tongue movement. Complete resection of the lesion was performed with the preservation of Wharton’s duct, lingual nerve and hypoglossal nerve. Post‐operative recovery was uneventful and subsequent follow‐up was satisfactory showing no sign of wound dehiscence or infection. The salivary flow was normal in both Wharton’s ducts.