A 13-YEAR-OLD, previously healthy boy was admitted to the hospital with acute appendicitis. During endotracheal intubation in the operating room, a mass was noted at the base of his tongue (Figure 1). He was referred for further evaluation after his surgery.
The young man had no obstructive symptoms related to the mass. His development has been normal, and he is an average student. His height was at the 25th percentile for age, and his weight was at the 95th percentile. Pubertal development was Tanner stage II. The mass at the base of the tongue was approximately 3 cm in diameter. Findings from the rest of the physical examination, with the exception of the abdominal surgical scar, were unremarkable.