Download PDF
Journal of Pediatric Neuroradiology 2014; 03(04): 191-195
DOI: 10.3233/PNR-14192
Brief Report
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart – New York

Antenatal detection of an intraglossal ranula on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging

Harris L. Cohen
a   Department of Radiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
b   Department of Radiology, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
c   Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
d   Department of Obstetrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
e   Le Bonheur Fetal Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
,
Asim F. Choudhri
a   Department of Radiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
b   Department of Radiology, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
f   Department of Neurosurgery, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
g   Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
,
Anand D. Raju
a   Department of Radiology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
b   Department of Radiology, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
,
Jacques Samson
d   Department of Obstetrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
e   Le Bonheur Fetal Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
,
Lisa M. Mabry
h   College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
,
Jerome W. Thompson
i   Department of Otolaryngology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
› Author Affiliations
Subject Editor:
Further Information

Publication History

23 June 2014

24 September 2014

Publication Date:
29 July 2015 (online)

  PDF Download  Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

A lingual ranula is a rare cystic lesion of the tongue. Ranulas are typically sublingual mucoceles. We report perhaps the first lingual ranula identified in a fetus. It was identified by ultrasound and confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Knowledge of the presence of such a large intraoral mass antenatally allows diagnosis, monitoring, assessment of potential airway compromise and delivery planning. The possibility of impending airway compromise caused the planning of an ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure performed at delivery. Identification of tongue tissue below a cystic intraoral mass suggests a lingual rather than a sublingual origin, a finding which helps stratify the differential diagnosis.

Keywords

Ranula - fetal - magnetic resonance - ultrasound - tongue