A case of epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma of the submandibular gland in a patient who underwent regeneration of lingual nerve with the use of a nerve guide tube

Epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a relatively rare, low-grade malignant tumor of the salivary gland. We report our experience with the guided nerve regeneration of the lingual nerve using a nerve guide tube (Polyglycolic acid collagen tube: PGA-C tube) after resection of an EMC that developed in the submandibular gland. The patient was a 48-year-old woman who noticed swelling in the left mandibular region. She was given a diagnosis of a tumor of the left submandibular gland on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and we performed an excisional biopsy of the region including the left submandibular gland. Pathologically, EMC was diagnosed. Accordingly, we performed extended tumor resection, including partial resection of the lingual nerve. Lingual nerve regeneration was performed on the lingual nerve deficit measuring approximately 30 mm using a PGA-C tube. The patient began to recover the tactile perception approximately 3 months postoperatively and the ability to distinguish between sweet and salty tastes approximately 1 year postoperatively. At 2 years postoperatively, she is able to distinguish sour tastes and there has been no local recurrence. Induced nerve regeneration is effective for reconstructing sensory nerves resected during surgery for malignant tumors.