940-nm Diode Laser-Assisted Management of Tongue Abscess

The tongue is a muscular organ with a rich blood supply and acts as an immune defence mechanism. The occurrence of a tongue abscess without immune deficiency is rare. The purpose of this report is to present the case of an eight-year-old boy with a spherical, pinkish-yellow, fluctuant, nontender swelling measuring two cm in diameter on the right anterolateral border of the tongue, causing difficulty in swallowing and speaking. Ultrasonography was performed, followed by a 940-nm diode laser-assisted incision and drainage under local anesthesia. Healing was uneventful, with no recurrence for two years now. A tongue abscess can be life-threatening due to its ability to cause respiratory obstruction. The diode laser can be a safe and effective tool for its management.