DECEPTIVE ORAL LESION IN A CHILD: A RARE CASE REPORT OF TONGUE LYMPHANGIOMA

Lymphangiomas are rare, benign developmental malformations of the lymphatic system,resulting from sequestration or abnormal proliferation of lymphatic vessels. They most commonly occur in the head and neck region, with the tongue being one of the frequent intraoral sites. A 5-year-old girl was referred to the Pedodontics OPD with a reddish, irregular lesion on the back of her tongue, present since 7 months of age, but without a proper diagnosis. The only symptom was intolerance to spicy food.Clinically, the lesion mimicked posterior midline atrophic candidiasis. On examination, the lesion was soft, non tender, and localized without significant enlargement. No history of trauma, systemic illness, or similar lesions elsewhere was noted. An Incisional Biopsy was performed from the borders of the lesion, and histopathological examination revealed features consistent with Lymphangioma.The treatment plans devised included propranolol therapy, targeted treatment for candidiasis to relieve oral pain, and other necessary dental management. This case report highlights the vital role of the Pedodontist in diagnosing rare tongue lesions in children through careful clinical evaluation and biopsy.