12-Year-Old Girl's Sublingual Cyst Treated Without Surgery! Remarkable Results in One Week with Three-Step TCM Therapy

A sublingual cyst, though not life-threatening, can make eating difficult and speaking uncomfortable. Many patients often struggle with the decision: surgery or conservative treatment? For young patients, parents are particularly concerned about surgical risks.

Xiao Cai (pseudonym), a 12-year-old girl, accidentally discovered a small blister under her tongue. Initially painless and unnoticeable, her family did not pay much attention. However, after a week, the cyst gradually enlarged, even affecting her swallowing. Her parents took her to a dental hospital, where the doctor recommended surgical removal. Considering her young age, the parents were hesitant about surgery and ultimately decided: Let's try Traditional Chinese Medicine!

I. TCM Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment Achieves Results in One Week

In March of this year, Xiao Cai's family visited the TCM Department at HeYou Hospital. The attending physician, Dr. Ye Zi'an, found that Xiao Cai's sublingual cyst was the size of a peanut, with a smooth surface, a white and greasy tongue coating, and a soft, slippery pulse (see Figure 1). Based on the symptoms, Dr. Ye diagnosed it as oral phlegm cyst, classified as phlegm-dampness obstruction in the middle jiao.

▲Figure 1: Peanut-sized sublingual cyst affecting daily diet

Phlegm-dampness accumulation is like a water pipe blocked by mud, causing poor fluid metabolism and forming a cyst, Dr. Ye explained. The treatment focused on resolving phlegm, unblocking collaterals, softening hardness, and dissipating masses, with a three-step plan:

01Pricking Bloodletting

Using a three-edged needle to prick the cyst locally, draining a small amount of mucus to relieve the blockage;

02Acupuncture for Qi Regulation

Acupoints selected: Lianquan (CV23), Hegu (LI4), and Fenglong (ST40) to regulate qi and blood circulation and resolve phlegm-dampness;

03Oral Chinese Herbal Medicine

Herbs such as Fritillaria thunbergii, Prunella vulgaris, and Poria cocos were ground into a powder to soften hardness and reduce swelling.

At the follow-up visit three days later, the cyst had significantly shrunk (see Figure 2), and Xiao Cai had no difficulty swallowing. Her parents were amazed: We didn't expect TCM to work so quickly!

▲Figure 2: The cyst has significantly shrunk

II. Consolidation Treatment for One Month, Cyst Completely Resolved

Given Xiao Cai's condition, her family expressed a desire to continue with TCM treatment. Dr. Ye Zi'an adjusted the treatment plan and prescription, adding herbs such as Astragalus membranaceus and Atractylodes macrocephala to strengthen the spleen and qi, thereby enhancing constitution and preventing recurrence. At the second follow-up visit, the sublingual cyst had completely disappeared (see Figure 3), the tongue coating turned thin and white, and the pulse was calm.

▲Figure 3: The cyst has disappeared

▲The patient and her family presented a banner of gratitude to Dr. Ye Zi'an.

TCM not only treats the symptoms but also regulates the root cause, Dr. Ye emphasized. For children with a phlegm-dampness constitution, if the internal environment is not adjusted, the cyst may recur.

III. Sublingual Cyst: Why Does TCM Have an Advantage?

Sublingual cysts fall under the TCM categories of phlegm cyst and dampness obstruction, often caused by improper diet and spleen deficiency with excessive dampness. Although surgery can remove the lesion, it is prone to recurrence, and children have low compliance. In contrast, TCM, through local intervention combined with holistic regulation, can both eliminate the cyst and improve the constitution, offering significant advantages:

Pricking bloodletting: Directly drains mucus, reducing local pressure;

Acupuncture: Regulates meridian qi and blood, restoring fluid metabolism;

Chinese herbal medicine: Strengthens the spleen and resolves phlegm, reducing phlegm-dampness production at the source.

Dr. Ye Zi'an kindly reminds: If a sublingual cyst is discovered, do not delay; early intervention can prevent enlargement. In daily life, reduce consumption of raw, cold, sweet, and greasy foods, exercise more, and prevent the generation of phlegm-dampness.

Author of this article>>>

TCM Department | Ye Zi'an

(As individual patient conditions vary, treatment outcomes may differ. Please consult a professional physician for specific advice.)