Lingual Cyst with Respiratory Epithelium: An Update of Scientific Literature

Abstract

Tongue (lingual) cysts occurring on the dorsal or ventral surfaces present as swellings. These swellings could cause difficulty in eating, drinking, speaking or breathing. Lingual cyst with respiratory epithelium (LCRE) is a rare developmental cyst of which about 23 case reports exist in the literature. This report aimed to document a case of LCRE from our centre to update the literature and to distinguish it from other cysts of the tongue with or without respiratory epithelium in addition to other content. We present a case of lingual cyst in a 4-year-old boy of 4 years; histopathologic features revealed a cystic lesion lined by columnar ciliated epithelium with goblet cells, focal areas of squamous epithelium and areas of inflammation in the connective tissue. This confirms a diagnosis of LCRE. A discussion on the clinical and microscopic features that distinguishes it from the other tongue cyst is presented, and the need for an appropriate nomenclature is highlighted.