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The MRI appearance of myloglossus

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European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This case report describes the MRI appearance and significance of the myloglossus muscle, a variant extrinsic tongue muscle.

Methods

The myloglossus muscle was incidentally discovered on imaging performed for head and neck cancer evaluation.

Results

The myloglossus is best visualized on non-fat saturated T2 MRI and has signal characteristics that match those of muscle. It originates at the angle of the mandible and inserts into the tongue between the styloglossus and hyoglossus.

Conclusion

Accurate identification and delineation of the extrinsic muscles of the tongue, including the myloglossus, is essential for proper staging and treatment of head and neck cancers. This case report attempts to fill a void in depicting the MRI appearance of myloglossus muscle.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Data Availability

Data was collected from clinical PACS system. Data is not available for public distribution due to it being potentially identifiable individual patient data. Scanning the QR code of figure 2 will direct you to an open access interactive 3D model of the myloglossus.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, USA

    Benjamin M. Pinsky

  2. Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA

    Leanne Y. Lin & Faiz Syed

  3. Department of Radiology, VA Ann Arbor Health System, Ann Arbor, USA

    Faiz Syed

Authors
  1. Benjamin M. Pinsky
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  2. Leanne Y. Lin
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  3. Faiz Syed
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Benjamin M. Pinsky.

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Pinsky, B.M., Lin, L.Y. & Syed, F. The MRI appearance of myloglossus. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 280, 3475–3477 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-023-07988-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-023-07988-w

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