Submandibular gland ectopia associated with atrophy of floor of mouth muscles.

OBJECTIVE

We describe a rare case of an ectopic submandibular gland associated with atrophy of the ipsilateral floor of the mouth muscles.

METHOD: Case report and review of the world literature regarding ectopic submandibular glands.

RESULTS

The reported patient had an ectopic submandibular gland associated with atrophy of the ipsilateral anterior digastric and mylohyoid muscles. This implies maldevelopment of these muscles in the floor of the mouth and arrest of the normal migration of the submandibular gland. The condition was diagnosed using magnetic resonance imaging and conventional submandibular gland sialography.

CONCLUSION

Submandibular gland ectopia in the floor of the mouth is a rare phenomenon. The described case represents the first report of an ectopic submandibular gland associated with atrophy of the ipsilateral floor of the mouth muscles. Radiologists and clinicians should familiarise themselves with this entity and its imaging findings, in order to prevent unnecessary biopsy of this benign condition.