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Case Reports
. 2016 Jan;20(1):87-92.
doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1544116. Epub 2015 Jan 30.

Aglossia: Case Report

Silvana Bommarito  1 , Luciana Escanoela Zanato  2 , Marilena Manno Vieira  1 , Fernanda Angelieri  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Aglossia: Case Report

Silvana Bommarito et al. Int Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2016 Jan.

Abstract

Introduction Aglossia is a rare condition caused by failure of the tongue embryogenesis process (in the fourth to eighth weeks of gestation). The tongue is an organ used in different activities such as sucking, swallowing, chewing, and talking. It is also responsible for shaping palate dental arches (in its absence, they become atrophic). There are few similar cases reported in the literature. Objective To describe a rare case of aglossia and the multidisciplinary professionals working together for 5 years to treat the patient. Resumed Report An 8-year-old girl with aglossia had an assessment comprising: (1) clinical assessment of the stomatognathic system related to resting posture, tonus, and mobility; (2) orthodontic assessment; (3) surface electromyography of the chewing muscles; (4) swallowing videofluoroscopy. Conclusion The authors confirmed the need of multidisciplinary cooperation to improve the patient's quality of life, because agenesia implicates many activities/functions that depend on the tongue to fully work. Multiprofessional cooperation helps the patient learn compensation mechanisms.

Keywords: articulation disorders; deglutition disorders; malocclusion; stomatognathic system; tongue.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
(A) Frontal and (B) profile patient photos.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Intraoral photos: (A) oral floor view and (B) mandibular dental arch.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Intraoral photos: (A) right side; (B) left side; (C) frontal views.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
(A) Normal lateral teleradiography and (B) panoramic radiography.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Computed tomography in profile view.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
(A, B, C) Axial coronal slices, mandible.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
(A, B, C) Axial coronal slices, maxilla.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
(A) Swallowing thin liquid, tongue on the floor of the pharynx posterior parade, and (B) swallowing solids, end of the oral procedure, beginning of the pharyngeal phase.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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