Unilateral enlargement of the lateral lingual tonsil: An immunohistochemical study and literature review

Lana Kei Yamamoto Almeida; Heitor Albergoni Silveira; Tulio Morandin Ferrisse; Evânio Vilela Silva; Luciana Yamamoto Almeida; Andreia Bufalino; Jorge Esquiche León

doi:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104857

Unilateral enlargement of the lateral lingual tonsil: An immunohistochemical study and literature review

Oral Oncol. 2020 Oct:109:104857. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104857. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Authors

Lana Kei Yamamoto Almeida¹, Heitor Albergoni Silveira², Tulio Morandin Ferrisse³, Evânio Vilela Silva², Luciana Yamamoto Almeida³, Andreia Bufalino³, Jorge Esquiche León⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
² Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, School of Dentistry of Araraquara, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil; Oral Pathology, Department of Stomatology, Public Oral Health, and Forensic Dentistry, Ribeirão Preto Dental School (FORP/USP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
³ Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, School of Dentistry of Araraquara, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP, Brazil.
⁴ Oral Pathology, Department of Stomatology, Public Oral Health, and Forensic Dentistry, Ribeirão Preto Dental School (FORP/USP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: jleon@forp.usp.br.

PMID: 32590299
DOI: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2020.104857

Abstract

Besides the Waldeyer's ring, other lymphoid aggregates can also be detected in the soft palate, floor of the mouth and ventral tongue. The lingual tonsil is located at the base of the tongue and related to circumvallate papillae, whereas subepithelial lymphoid tissue at the posterior lateral portion of the tongue and related to foliate papillae constitutes the lateral lingual tonsil. Unilateral tonsillar enlargement is critical, because it can suggest malignancy, notably non-Hodgkin lymphoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Herein, we report an unusual presentation of unilateral enlargement of the lateral lingual tonsil, diagnosed as follicular lymphoid hyperplasia.

Keywords: Immunohistochemistry; Lateral lingual tonsil; Lingual tonsil; Tongue; Waldeyer’s ring.

Publication types

Letter