A 44-year-old-man presented with submucosal tongue swelling with a duration of one week. Upon physical examination, a submucosal mass lesion on the right side of the tongue was detected. An initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study showed a tongue mass thought to be a tongue neoplasm. Before a biopsy, intraoral tongue ultrasonography (USG) was performed and edema formation within the tongue muscle fibres was detected without any mass or abscess formation. After empirical antibiotic treatment, a subsequent MRI showed complete resolution of the lesion. In the diagnostic work-up of a suspicious submucosal tongue lesion, USG imaging is helpful and should be considered. (Gazi Med J 2012; 23: 65-8)