A case of venous aneurysm in the submandibular region

Venous aneurysm is defined as a localized dilating lesion of a vein. It is a lesion showing localized saccular dilatation of a vein, which differs from a varix showing venous tortuosity and various extensions. Venous aneurysms have been reported to occur primarily in the extremities. Few cases have been reported in the head and neck region, and cases occurring in the submandibular region are extremely rare. We report a rare case of venous aneurysm in the submandibular region, which was difficult to diagnose based on clinical and imaging findings. A 74-year-old woman visited our hospital because of a swelling in the left side of the submandibular region. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass measuring 30×26×23mm with enhanced components at the rim. Under a clinical diagnosis of left submandibular tumor, tumor resection with concurrent resection of the left submandibular gland was performed under general anesthesia. Histopathological examination revealed a venous aneurysm with thrombus. The postoperative course has been uneventful.