Blandin-nuhn gland mucocele: presentation of a new case and review of the literature

Minor salivary glands can be found in the ventral and anterior part of the tongue (Blandin-Nuhn glands). Rarely, these glands can develop a mucocele which appears as an exophytic, sometimes pedunculated, lesion: this feature of the mucocele is due to the absence of a capsule, thus glands are right beneath the mucosa and over the muscle tissue. A 12-year-old healthy Caucasian boy was referred to our Department for the evaluation of an exophitic lesion of the anterior and ventral part of the tongue: the lesion appeared light pink in color, elastic, mobile on the underneath planes, no bleeding and no pain; excisional biopsy of the lesion together with the underneath salivary gland revealed a mucocele of Blandin-Nuhn gland. Anatomy, pathology, clinical features and therapy of Blandin-Nuhn gland mucoceles are discussed: Blandin-Nuhn gland mucoceles, due to uncommon clinical appearance, are often difficult to diagnose. Excisional biopsy is mandatory and, at the same time, diagnostic and therapeutic. A careful removal of the underlining salivary gland is necessary to avoid relapses.