Unusual presentation of submandibular lingual nerve sheath tumour as sublingual stone

A 60-year-old woman was referred to the otolaryngologist for 18 months of left-sided tongue pain and taste changes. Surgeon-performed ultrasound of the submandibular region revealed a hyperechoic mass. Wharton’s duct was dilated proximally and the submandibular gland demonstrated normal vascularity. While these findings were highly suspicious for submandibular gland sialolith, an in-office attempt at sialolithotomy suggested an alternate process or mass. After imaging failed to further elucidate an aetiology, surgical exploration revealed a well-circumscribed submandibular mass associated with the lingual nerve. The mass was removed en-bloc and pathology revealed a schwannoma of the lingual nerve.