Imaging characteristics of slow-growing soft tissue chondroma of the tongue: A case report

INTRODUCTION: Extraskeletal soft tissue chondroma (STC) is a rare benign tumor. Soft-tissue chondromas rarely occur in the oral cavity. In this study, we aimed to confirm a slow-growing tongue mass using magnetic resonance imaging. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 60-year-old woman presented with a painful, slow-growing tongue mass that had persisted for 17 years. Intraoral examination revealed a pedunculated mass covered with mucosa on the right side of her tongue. DIAGNOSIS: CT and MRI revealed a lobulated heterogeneously enhancing mass without calcification. Compared with previous images obtained 17 years prior, the mass presented slow growth, more prominent enhancement, and lobulated contour. Histopathological examination confirmed the presence of STC. INTERVENTIONS: Excision of the mass surrounding normal tissue was performed under general anesthesia. OUTCOMES: During 1-year follow-up period, no recurrence was observed. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, STC lesions were slow-growing, and changed from weakly homogeneous enhancement and clean margins to markedly heterogeneous enhancement and lobulated margins over time.