title: Transoral surgical management of lesions of the base of the tongue.
abstract: Lesions of the base of the tongue are rare in the pediatric population. However, when present these lesions may lead to airway obstruction and feeding difficulties. Two patients with lesions of the base of the tongue are described to demonstrate the diagnosis and management of this difficult clinical problem. The use of a transoral median glossotomy for total excision of these lesions is advised in this article. This approach affords excellent surgical exposure, early return to a normal diet, and lack of facial scars.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Disorders, New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical Center, New York.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Healy
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003560:Cysts / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014059:Tongue / Q000601:surgery*; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*