A cyst in the tongue is a neoplasm that does not cause pain. However, it gives considerable discomfort to its owner in the course of progressive growth. Inconveniences arise during conversation, eating. Outwardly, the retention cyst of the tongue looks like a small round cone. In clinical practice, a neoplasm is known by the definition of a wound. Photos of cysts in the tongue, the causes of the pathology, characteristic symptoms and treatment features are noted in our publication.
Causes
A common cause of the formation of cysts in the tongue in a child and an adult is a blockage of the salivary ducts. Often the problem arises against the background of injuries of the presented area. Saliva is concentrated in local tissues. Gradually, biological material accumulates here, which causes the growth of the neoplasm. Tongue cyst in newborns and young children rarely occurs as a result of blockage of the salivary glands. Most often, the disease is diagnosed among older people.
Another likely cause of cysts in the tongue is traumatic effects on local tissues. Most often, this is observed among children who carelessly use cutlery. The problem often makes itself felt if a person likes to crack nuts with his teeth, abuses snacks in the form of dried fish, crackers, and gnaws bones. These actions can cause damage to the tissues of the tongue and surrounding areas. Inaccurate brushing of teeth, as well as mistakes made by dentists during the execution of manipulations in the patient's oral cavity should also be included here.
Symptomatology
A cyst in the language, a photo of which can be seen in our article, is usually presented in the form of a small surface ball, which has a dense structure. For a long time, the neoplasm remains almost invisible, since it has small dimensions. A person does not have to suffer from pain, other discomfort.
Gradually, the cyst on the tongue expands and adds in volumes. In the problem area, the presence of a foreign body begins to be clearly felt. There are cases when the wound was independently emptied from internal accumulations of biological material. However, over time, new pathological tissues will certainly form in the same place.
A cyst in the tongue is easily torn. After all, the outer shell of the neoplasm is thin. It is enough to perform a small puncture. The result is the release of viscous consistency from the inside of the substance.
Risk factors
There are several factors whose effect increases the likelihood of cyst formation on the tongue. Among those worth noting:
- Poor treatment of bacterial and viral infections that affect local tissues.
- Frankly poor oral hygiene.
- Addiction to alcohol and smoking.
- The tendency of a person to consume too hot food and drinks, which can cause burns to the tongue and adjacent tissues.
Classification
According to the location, superficial and diving cysts are distinguished. The first type of neoplasm is localized in the surface structures of the mucous membranes. The result of the growth of pathological tissues is the appearance of a spherical body, which protrudes under the tongue.
Diving cysts form in the maxillohyoid region. As a rule, such growths go unnoticed during the examination of the oral cavity. Over time, the presence of trouble becomes pronounced. After all, an invasive growth is formed under the chin, which is sometimes confused with inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Diagnostics
A neoplasm in the tongue or adjacent tissues is usually detected during a routine dental examination of the oral cavity. The cyst is identified by palpation of the presented area and the ratio of symptoms with a characteristic clinical picture. In some cases, to make the correct diagnosis, a number of additional studies are required:
- Ultrasound diagnosis of salivary glands.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- X-ray with the introduction of a contrast medium into the tissues.
The above methods make it possible not only to confirm the fact of proliferation of pathological tissues, but also to establish factors that affect the formation of the wound, to determine the depth of germination of the cyst. In order to exclude the probability of tissue transformation into a malignant tumor, a biopsy is performed when a piece of pathological material is taken for analysis. Subsequently, the sample is subjected to histological examination to determine the type of neoplasm.
Drug therapy
In clinical practice, cases have been recorded when the cyst on the tip of the tongue, other surfaces, has the appearance of a thin-walled bubble filled with a clear fluid. In the presence of such a relatively safe neoplasm, it is most often possible to do without surgical intervention. Here, medications of the glucocorticoid group come to the rescue. The use of such funds makes it possible to eliminate inflammatory processes and relieve swelling in a short time. Usually, in order to resolve the cyst, doctors prescribe the use of the pharmacological agents Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, and Prednisolone.
Additionally, the patient is prescribed the use of vitamin complexes in order to stimulate the production of antibodies by the immune system. The solution makes it possible to activate the protective properties of the body to combat pathological processes that occur against the background of the formation of a cyst.
In some situations, the appointment of strong antibiotics seems to be an appropriate solution. Such an auxiliary treatment avoids infection of local tissues during resorption of the cyst.
Surgery
How to eliminate a tongue cyst? The operation is known as cystotomy. The surgical solution is highly effective and easy to perform. The technique pursues the goal of scraping pathological material. A depression forms at the site of exposure, which over time is completely tightened. Surgery is performed under local anesthesia. In order to anesthetize the problem area, the patient is injected with a solution of novocaine.
Cystotomy involves performing a neat incision along the salivary gland. With a narrow dilator, the doctor pushes the tissues of the mucous membranes away from the center of the cyst. The walls of the wound are cut with surgical scissors. The result of the manipulation is the formation of a wide window in the lumen of the cyst.
Using gauze swabs, the doctor gradually drains the bottom of the pathological neoplasm. Excessive mucosal tissue is removed. An iodine-soaked swab is placed in the cyst cavity. As an alternative solution, the Solcoseryl or Metrogil method of filling the cyst cavity with drugs is often used. The edges of the wound are sutured with thin threads. The ends of the seams are left free. The tampon is removed from the wound after a few days. Deprived of the volume of the cyst is smoothed over time. Tissues of the mucous membranes acquire a uniform texture.
Postoperative period
After removal of the cyst in the tongue by the surgical method, it is important to regularly treat the site of exposure with pharmacological solutions that have antiseptic properties. Experts recommend eating carefully, avoiding the use of solid foods that can have a traumatic effect on damaged tissues.
The duration of rehabilitation directly depends on the size of the wound, which is subject to healing. As a rule, the restoration of the site where the surgery was performed occurs within a few months. To avoid unnecessary suffering, a cyst on the tongue should be removed as early as possible, at the initial stages of the formation of pathological tissues.
Treatment of cysts with Kalanchoe juice
Many people who have been diagnosed with a tongue cyst seek to avoid painful surgery by any means. Theoretically, the trouble can be eliminated through the use of effective methods of traditional medicine. One of the most effective solutions is to perform therapy using the juice of a healing plant Kalanchoe.
The treatment is as follows. Prepare a few bottom sheets of the plant. Put the product in your mouth and chew it slowly. Kalanchoe juice must be in contact with the cyst. The result of therapy is the rapid elimination of inflammatory processes. The wounds around the neoplasm heal, the cyst gradually dissolves and significantly decreases in size.
Alcoholic infusion of ficus
An excellent disinfectant and anti-inflammatory agent looks like an infusion prepared on the basis of ficus. To prepare the medicine, proceed according to the following scheme:
- Take some sheets of ficus.
- Grind the raw materials thoroughly with a meat grinder.
- Put the pulp in a piece of gauze and squeeze the juice of the plant.
- Prepare about 70 ml of strong alcohol.
- Mix the indicated volume of alcohol with 10 grams of ficus juice.
- Send the resulting solution to the refrigerator for several days.
Before use, dilute the alcoholic infusion of ficus with warm boiled water in a ratio of 1: 3. Soak the sterile cotton pad in a quality manner. Place the product on the cyst formation area. Hold the medicine in the marked area for 10-15 minutes. Perform the procedure daily until the inflammation is removed and the neoplasm is reduced in size.
Lemon juice
Good results in the treatment of cysts show rinsing the mouth with lemon juice. Prepare a few medium-sized citruses. Cut the peel, pass the pulp through a juicer. Send the product in the refrigerator for two days. Then add a handful of chopped garlic to the lemon juice. Pour the resulting mass with boiled water in a volume of 2 liters. Allow the composition to brew well in a warm place throughout the day. Rinse your mouth 4-5 times a day. The solution makes it possible to disinfect local tissues, eliminate inflammatory processes and achieve the isolation of accumulated masses from the cyst.
Decoction of oak bark
Another noteworthy folk remedy for treating cysts in the tongue is a decoction of oak bark. The formulation of the healing composition is as follows. Take 300 grams of dried oak bark and grind thoroughly. Brew raw materials with a glass of boiling water. Keep the product in a water bath for 30 minutes. Ready the decoction through a fine strainer or a piece of gauze. Use the resulting liquid to rinse your mouth. Perform the procedure 3-4 times a day. Perform therapy daily. After a while, the cyst will get rid of the internal infiltrate and become less invoice.