title: Anterior lingual mandibular salivary gland defect--a dilemma in diagnosis.
abstract: Anterior lingual mandibular salivary gland defects are very rare. These lesions present as non-definitive bony radiolucencies. There are several other radiolucent entities which present in the anterior mandible with greater frequency and this creates a diagnostic dilemma for the practitioner. The ultimate and proper treatment of non-treatment depends on a correct diagnosis of these lesions. The correctness of the diagnosis and avoidance of unnecessary traumatic procedures may be aided by more sophisticated radiographic studies, such as a CAT scan and/or Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A case of a very unusual appearing anterior lingual mandibular salivary gland defect is presented and the diagnosis, management and recommendation for more complex radiographic studies are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Elias Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barak
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mintz
mesh_terms: D002828:Choristoma / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007570:Jaw Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013361:Sublingual Gland; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed