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About Joel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS
Expertise
I am a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon available to answer questions related to tooth extractions, implant insertion, facial recontruction, facial and oral tumor removal, TMJ dysfunction and various successful treatments, including surgery if all else fails, and occlusal discrepancy requiring orthognathic or jaw surgery.

Experience
Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon practicing for over 20 years. Assistant Clincal Professor at State University School of Dentistry.

Organizations
American Dental Association, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Education/Credentials
BA DMD

You are here: Experts > Health/Fitness > Surgery > Oral Surgery > Removal of lymph tissue under tongue?

Oral Surgery - Removal of lymph tissue under tongue?

Expert: Joel S. Teig, DMD, FABOMS - 11/5/2009

Question
Hello

Several months ago I noticed a lump under my tongue, a fleshy lump that I could move around with my tongue, it was about the side of a kidney bean. I went to my family doctor and he reffered me to a maxillofacial consult. When I saw her, she removed it the same day. Turned out to be lymph tissue with no sign of malignancy, the lump (and a much smaller one right next to it growing, which they removed also) was located on the membrane wall on the right side of my mouth, just over the submandibular gland. I have 2 issues now surrounding the entire thing. One, the doctor didn't explain to me all too clearly in the follow-up appointment about how lymph tissue grows, and what may be some underlying causes of that, she just said "it's something that happens" so I'm looking into some underlying causes or just information on that.

Secondly, since the proecedure, the larger wound, which is about 1/3 of an inch wide on the membrane wall under my tongue, has not healed. It blisters over and is very dark red and on some occasions, just dark and sore, when it bursts it doesn't bleed, but it leaves a strange bitter taste in my mouth from the fluid buildup, sometimes when I look at it when it's blistered over, I feel like theres something dark-looking, like a spec in there, perhaps some grit or something. It doesn't blister over massivly, to about half the size of the original lump. The first time it happened, I mentioned it in my follow up, since when it blisters over, it usually goes away after an hour and partially heals again, she could see no problem so was just quite passive about it. It's done it several times since then. It occasionally blisters after I nap and obviously hasn't healed. Occasionally, when I'm eating also, I get slight pain in my glands under my jawline on the right side. I'm wondering if I may have an infection and need to book an appointment to go back. I'm just worried my doctor will be passive again if she doesn't see it blistering for herself. I had dispersable stitches but it just doesn't seem to have healed. I'm worried deeply about it and the pain I'm having. I recently took penicilin for a throat infection, I thought it may also deal with a possible infection I have down there, but it didn't. I followed all post-op care plan like rinsing with salt water, etc. It's just gone horribly wrong now I feel helpless. If you could give me some information on the growth of lymph tissue with no signs of malignancy in this area of the mouth, as well as what has now happened following the procedure, that would be great and put my mind at rest. It's been two months now since the outpatients procedure and I feel worthless and left out in the dark about it all.

Regards.
Emily.

Answer
Emily - Of course, without examining you I cannot be totally sure, but it sounds like either the original lump was not really caused by lymph tissue or the removal of lymph tissue is now the cause of your present problem. Either way, it sounds like you are now suffering from an obstruction of the ducts of minor salivary glands or the sublingual gland. Often surgery under the tongue can cause constrictions and obstructions of gland ducts, especially if the doctor is unable to visulize these microscopic ducts.

You need to have the area examined to truly evaluate what is going on. Ask the surgeon to evaluate if the sublingual gland ducts have been violated. In the interim, it might be a good idea for you to begin to rinse your mouth 3-4 times a day with a rinse made of a little lemon juice and water. That rinse should be done for a minute or so. If can often cleanse any clogged salivary glands ducts. It can also, if the duct is truly blocked, isolate the true source of the swelling. I wish you well and hope the surgeon can now see the source of your problem.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact me again.

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