title: Nodular fasciitis of the tongue.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nodular fasciitis is a non-neoplastic proliferation within the subcutaneous tissue and the deep fascia of the fibroblasts, probably of a reactive nature characterized by apparent infiltration of the connective tissues by a mitotically active spindle cell lesion. Nodular fasciitis in the head/neck region is rarely found and only 2 previous cases affecting the tongue have been reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The purpose of this study was for us to report a very rare case of a 67-year-old man with a history of a 3-month subepithelial asymptomatic nodule of the tongue tip with an ulcerated surface. An excisional biopsy of the mass was performed with 0.5-mm surgical margins.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical and histological features of nodular fasciitis may mimic a head and neck malignancy, but it is often misdiagnosed as a malignant mesenchymal neoplasm. Even if it is a rare entity, nodular fasciitis should be considered in cases of rapidly growing masses of the head and neck region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive, and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Celentano
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Pathology Section, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mascolo
authors.affiliation: Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Pathology Section, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: De Rosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive, and Odontostomatological Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele Davide
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Mignogna
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005208:Fasciitis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014060:Tongue Diseases / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: lingual fasciitis; mesenchymal neoplasm; nodular fasciitis; pseudosarcomatous fibromatosis; tongue