Objectives. Various types of lesion have been reported in the submental region, but submental masses can be difficult to diagnose. Our objective was to attempt to diagnose submental masses by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with clinical data. Methods. We attempted to diagnose seven cases in which the chief complaint was submental swelling
diagnosis was carried out on the basis of features visualized by MRI. Results. Seven types of lesions were observed: phlegmone and abscess caused by osteomyelitis
epidermoid cyst
thyroglossal duct cyst
abscess-forming granulomatous lymphadenitis
T-cell lymphoma (suspected Hodgkin's disease)
non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma
and lymph node metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma in the tongue. Conclusions. The magnetic resonance images of each lesion revealed characteristic features. Thus, MRI may be useful for the differential diagnosis of submental swelling before the initiation of treatment. © Japanese Society for Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Springer-Verlag Tokyo 2005.