ANZ J Surg 2017 Dec 21. Epub 2017 Dec 21.

Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Logan Hospital, Logan City, Queensland, Australia.

Background: Plunging ranulas are rare mucous extravasation pseudocysts that arise in the floor of the mouth and pass into the submandibular space of the neck. The aim of this study was to investigate the diagnosis, surgical management and outcomes of patients with a plunging ranula at our institution in South East Queensland over a 10-year period.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of adult patients diagnosed with and treated for plunging ranula between 2006 and 2016 at Logan Hospital was conducted. Read More

Dentomaxillofac Radiol 2018 Jan 10:20170331. Epub 2018 Jan 10.

1 Department of Oral Pathology, Radiology and Medicine,College of Dentistry, The University of Iowa , Iowa City, IA , USA.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common salivary gland malignancy. The submandibular gland is rarely involved, about less than 10% of all other major salivary glands. We report a case of a 49-year-old female who presented with a mass on the left side of the floor of the mouth. Read More

J Maxillofac Oral Surg 2017 Dec 16;16(4):491-496. Epub 2017 Mar 16.

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, AJ Institute of Dental Science and Hospital, Mangalore, Karnataka 575004 India.

Background: This study was undertaken to compare micromarsupialization and modified micromarsupialization for the management of mucoceles.

Materials And Methods: A prospective randomized clinical study was done on thirty patients having mucocele on lower lip. In Group A ( = 15), micromarsupialization and in Group B ( = 15), modified micromarsupialization technique was used. Read More

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2017 May 22;123(5):e160-e163. Epub 2016 Nov 22.

Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York, NY, USA. Electronic address:

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), an indolent neoplasm of B lymphocytes, is the most common adult leukemia in the Western Hemisphere. Despite this, however, the intraoral presentation of CLL is quite rare. We report the case of an 83-year-old woman with CLL incidentally involving minor salivary glands in association with a ranula (floor-of-mouth mucocele). Read More

Niger J Surg 2016 Jul-Dec;22(2):130-133

Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Ranchi Institute of Neuro-Psychiatry and Allied Sciences, Kanke, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.

A mucocele is a common salivary gland disorder that most commonly affects young adults. A 35-year-old female patient reported to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, with the chief complaint of swelling on the left side of floor of mouth. The aim of this case report is to present the management of mucocele present in floor of the mouth in a young female patient using liquid nitrogen cryosurgery. Read More

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2016 Dec 15;54(10):1131-1133. Epub 2016 Apr 15.

Nair Hospital Dental College, Dr. A.L.Nair Road, Opp. Maratha Mandir, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, 400008. Electronic address:

A mucocoele or extravasation of mucus is common in minor salivary glands, but unusual in major ones. Those from the submandibular gland are a diagnostic challenge and conventional management includes excision of the associated gland. We describe a 27-year-old man with a mucocoele of the submandibular gland that presented as a lateral cervical swelling and looked like a plunging ranula. Read More

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2016 Sep-Oct;82(5):536-42. Epub 2016 Jan 6.

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil. Electronic address:

Introduction: Mucoceles are common benign pseudocystic lesions of the oral cavity; their main etiological factors are trauma and ductal obstruction. Two histological patterns are found: mucus retention phenomenon (MRP) and mucus extravasation phenomenon (MEP). Mucus extravasation phenomenon is the more common histological subtype and it mainly affects the lower lip. Read More

Stomatologija 2016 ;18(4):133-136

Department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Dr. D. Y. Patil school of dentistry, 1, Shanti, Pandloskar marg, Vile Parle (East), Mumbai-400057, India.

A ranula is a large mucocele located in the floor of the mouth. Ranulas is usually a mucous extravasation phenomenon due to injury to sublingual salivary gland. unilateral presentation has been reported in many cases but bilateral presentation and that too in an edentulous patient is quite uncommon. Read More

Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 2016 Feb;28(1):67-81

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, University of Maryland and the Greenbaum Cancer Institute, Suite 1402, 650 W Baltimore Street, Suite 1218, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.

Salivary gland lesions are rare in pediatric patients. In addition, the types of salivary gland tumors are different in their distribution in specific sites in the major and minor salivary glands in children compared with adults. This article reviews benign neoplastic and nonneoplastic salivary gland disorders in pediatric patients to help clinicians to develop an orderly differential diagnosis that will lead to expedient treatment of pediatric patients with salivary gland lesions. Read More

J Clin Diagn Res 2015 Jun 1;9(6):MD01-3. Epub 2015 Jun 1.

Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, School of dental Sciences , KIMSDU, Karad, Maharashtra, India .

Ranula is a salivary gland cyst which typically present as localized superficial swelling over the floor of mouth. Complex or plunging ranulas develop when the mucus extravasation extends through or around the mylohyoid muscle, deeper into the neck, and present with neck lump along with or without swelling over floor of mouth. We report a case of large plunging ranula presenting as an isolated large neck mass in a 38-year-old female patient. Read More

Atlas Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 2015 Mar 9;23(1):49-61. Epub 2015 Jan 9.

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Tennessee Medical Center, The University of Tennessee Cancer Institute, 1930 Alcoa Highway, Suite 335, Knoxville, TN 37920, USA. Electronic address:

Laryngoscope 2015 May 28;125(5):1130-6. Epub 2014 Nov 28.

Department of Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery, University of Pretoria, South Africa.

Objectives/hypothesis: To describe clinical characteristics of oral mucoceles/ranulas, with a focus on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related salivary gland diseases.

Study Design: A descriptive and clinical study, with review of patient data.

Material And Methods: We reviewed 113 referred cases of oral mucocele. Read More

J Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2014 Sep;18(Suppl 1):S72-7

Manubhai Patel Dental College and Hospital, Munjmahuda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India.

Background: Oral mucocele is the most common benign minor (accessory) salivary gland lesion, caused due to mechanical trauma to the excretory duct of the gland. Clinically they are characterized by single or multiple, soft, fluctuant nodule, ranging from the normal color of the oral mucosa to deep blue. It affects at any age and is equally present in both sexes with highest incidence in second decade of life. Read More

J Clin Diagn Res 2014 Aug 20;8(8):ZD04-6. Epub 2014 Aug 20.

Senior Lecturer, Department of Public Health Dentistry, Jaipur Dental Collge , Jaipur, India .

A mucocele is a common benign lesion of the minor salivary gland mucosa that most frequently affects children and young adults. A 6-year-old male patient reported to the Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, with the chief complaint of a painless swelling on floor of the mouth on his left side. The purpose of this case report is to present the treatment of mucocele present in floor of the mouth in a child patient using liquid nitrogen cryosurgery. Read More

Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014 Dec;22(6):525-9

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery/Head and Neck Tumor Surgery, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, P.R. China.

Purpose Of Review: Ranula is extravasation mucocele arising from the sublingual gland, influencing the swallowing or eating; this review focuses on the most recent literature pertaining to pediatric ranulas and aims to comprehensively describe the methods of diagnosis and management approaches.

Recent Findings: Ranulas consist of intraoral ranula and plunging ranula, which are frequently misdiagnosed, so it is vital for the differential diagnosis of pediatric ranulas to depend on the clinical examination, imaging and fine-needle aspiration cytology. Pediatric patients should first be observed for 6 months before other treatments. Read More

Monogr Oral Sci 2014 23;24:135-48. Epub 2014 May 23.

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

The three most frequently diagnosed salivary gland diseases are salivary gland infections, sialolithiasis and mucoceles. Salivary gland infections are usually of bacterial or viral etiology and can be divided into acute and chronic types. Occasionally they can result from obstruction of the salivary duct, an autoimmmune disease or cancer therapy. Read More

J Craniomaxillofac Surg 2014 Jul 18;42(5):392-6. Epub 2014 Jan 18.

University Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Head: Prof. C. Alexandridis), at the Children's Hospital "A. and P. Kyriakou" (Director: Prof. I. Iatrou), Dental School, University of Athens, Greece.

Objectives: To present the experience in the treatment of soft tissue cysts of the orofacial region in children treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Children's Hospital "A. and P. Kyriakou", Dental School, University of Athens. Read More

J Clin Exp Dent 2013 Dec 1;5(5):e218-22. Epub 2013 Dec 1.

BDS, Senior Registrar. Department of Oral Pathology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Objectives: Salivary gland tumours (SGTs) are a group of heterogeneous lesions with complex clinico-pathological characteristics and distinct biological behaviours. Previous studies have reported geographic variations in site distribution, incidence and histological types of SGTs. The aim of this study was to describe the demography of SGTs seen at a tertiary health centre and compare findings with previous studies. Read More

J Pharm Bioallied Sci 2012 Aug;4(Suppl 2):S180-2

Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, K. S. R. Institute of Dental Science and Research, Trichengode, Namakkal, Tamil Nadu, India.

A mucocele is a benign, mucus-containing cystic lesion of the minor salivary gland. This type of lesion is most commonly referred to as mucocele. The more common is a mucus extravasation cyst; the other is a mucus retention cyst. Read More

Lasers Med Sci 2012 Nov 28;27(6):1251-5. Epub 2012 Jul 28.

Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos 6627, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

The aim of this preliminary study was to investigate the influence of low level laser therapy (LLLT) in alleviating pain caused by micro-marsupialization and the healing of oral ranulas and selected mucoceles. Eleven patients underwent micro-marsupialization treatment associated with LLLT. The patients were irradiated with a 660-nm continuous wave from an indium-gallium-arsenide-phosphorous (InGaAsP) diode laser, at 100 mW, with a spot size on the tissue surface of 0. Read More

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2012 Jun 18;113(6):e6-9. Epub 2012 Feb 18.

Oral and Maxillofacial Department, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore.

Mucoceles of the submandibular gland are extremely rare pathologic occurrences that present an investigative and management dilemma owing to their clinical indistinguishability from plunging ranulas. Of the few that have been documented, these mucous extravasation cysts involved the submandibular gland alone. We describe perhaps the first case of an extensive submandibular gland mucocele occurring in conjunction with a mixed ranula from the ipsilateral sublingual gland, and discuss the various considerations in the management of such lesions. Read More

Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2012 Dec 19;41(12):1527-31. Epub 2012 May 19.

Department of Oral Surgery and Pathology, School of Dentistry, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

This study evaluated the performance of an upgrading of the micro-marsupialisation technique for the management of mucus extravasation or retention phenomena. This study presents a prospective case series of management of ranulas and mucoceles, with a follow-up ranging from 6 to 18 months. Data included the age and gender of patients, as well as the type, size, and site of lesions, and number of punctures. Read More

J Surg Case Rep 2012 Jun 1;2012(6). Epub 2012 Jun 1.

Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, UK.

Mucus extravasation cysts or mucoceles are an extremely rare occurrence in the major salivary glands. We report upon an unusual case of a submandibular gland mucocele presenting as a neck lump. It should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of swellings in the lateral neck. Read More

Laryngoscope 2010 Nov;120(11):2193-6

Department of Otolaryngology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan.

Objectives/hypothesis: The aim of this study was to evaluate the indications for, and outcomes and limitations of, OK-432 therapy in various otolaryngological cystic diseases.

Study Design: A retrospective clinical study at Yamagata University School of Medicine and the Fukase Clinic in Japan.

Methods: Between April 1996 and November 2009 we tried OK-432 therapy in 148 patients with otolaryngological cystic diseases. Read More

Shanghai Kou Qiang Yi Xue 2010 Aug;19(4):447-8

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Shanghai 200011, China.

Ranulas are mucoceles that develop as a result of mucous extravasation from the sublingual gland and typically present in the floor of mouth. The treatment of ranulas are various, mainly including surgical and nonsurgical methods. The preferred treatment of oral and plunging ranulas is still uncertain. Read More

AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2010 Oct 23;26(10):1075-8. Epub 2010 Sep 23.

Department of Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa.

It is well documented and generally accepted that enlargement of parotid salivary glands, as part of HIV-related salivary gland diseases (HIV-SGD), may be the initial symptoms/manifestations of the HIV infection. Oral mucoceles and ranulas are also frequently described as oral manifestations, in association with HIV infection. However, little is known about these latter lesions as being the initial symptoms indicative of an HIV infection. Read More

Laryngoscope 2009 Mar;119(3):502-7

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232-8605, USA.

Objectives/hypothesis: We will discuss the transoral surgical approach to excising the submandibular gland, the relevant anatomy, the indications, and the risks and benefits of the procedure. We will present our case series of nine patients.

Study Design: A retrospective review of a series of nine patients in which transoral submandibular gland excision was attempted over the past 10 years was performed. Read More

Pediatr Dev Pathol 2009 May-Jun;12(3):222-8

Department of Pediatric Pathology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.

The mechanism of lymphangiogenesis is poorly understood, and controversy exists whether it is part of the inflammatory response to tissue injury. Utilizing markers specific to lymphatics, we aimed to study if lymphangiogenesis plays a role in the tissue response of mucoceles. Twenty-three extravasated mucoceles were selected. Read More

Pediatr Rev 2007 Jan;28(1):15-22

Department of Pediatrics, University of Toledo, Health Sciences Campus, Toledo, Ohio, USA.

J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2007 Jan;65(1):117-21

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Columbia University, School of Dental and Oral Surgery, New York, NY, USA.

Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2007 Feb 20;71(2):247-55. Epub 2006 Nov 20.

UOC di Chirurgia Pediatrica, Azienda Ospedaliera Materno Infantile OIRM-S Anna, Pzza Polonia 94, 10126 Turin, Italy.

Objective: Many authors consider surgical therapy of pediatric ranula and intraoral mucocele as the election treatment. Recently, an intracystic sclerosing injection with OK-432 has been proposed as a ranula primary treatment. This preliminary study evaluates the effectiveness of the use of Nickel Gluconate-Mercurius Heel-Potentised Swine Organ Preparations as the primary treatment of pediatric ranula and intraoral mucocele. Read More

SADJ 2006 Apr;61(3):124

Medunsa Oral Health Center, University of Limpopo.

Minerva Stomatol 2005 May;54(5):333-7

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy.

Ranula is a raised mucocele on the oral floor. When the mucocele extends and passes the sublingual space and invades the submandibular space it may be called ''plunging ranula''. Its etiology is not completely known. Read More

Bull Tokyo Dent Coll 2004 May;45(2):95-8

Oral Health Science Center, Department of Clinical Pathophysiology, Tokyo Dental College, 1-2-2 Masago, Mihama-ku, Chiba 261-8502, Japan.

This case report describes an acinic cell carcinoma found by a recurrence of a ranula in the sublingual gland. A 42-year-old male was admitted to the hospital of the Tokyo Dental College with a swelling in his right oral floor but without pain. The lesion was treated by windowing the same day under the diagnosis of a ranula, but the swelling appeared again at the same area eight months after the first operation. Read More

J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2003 Mar;61(3):369-78

Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery, New York, NY, USA.

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2002 Oct;40(5):455-6

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2002 Oct;40(5):455

J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2002 Jul;60(7):804-7

Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Training Program, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Alabama School of Dentistry, 1919 7th Avenue S, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2001 Dec;39(6):480-2

SW London Maxillofacial Service, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Queen Mary's University Hospital, Roehampton, London SW15 5PN, UK.

Two infants presented with unilateral cystic swellings in the floor of the mouth as a result of imperforate submandibular ducts. This is thought to result from a congenital failure of canalization of the terminal end of the duct. Both cases responded to simple incision and decompression of the fluid-filled duct. Read More

Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2001 Jun;39(3):217-20

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Columbia University, School of Dental and Oral Surgery, New York, NY, USA.

There are a number of occasions when ranula-like lesions of the oral floor can develop that do not originate from the sublingual gland, or that arise from the gland with no tendency towards recurrence. The author advises that the unconditional removal of the sublingual gland should not be the standard treatment for all ranulas, and present four case reports to illustrate these and describe how they should be treated. All the patients were treated successfully with conservative management and retained normal functioning sublingual glands. Read More

J Oral Sci 2001 Mar;43(1):9-13

Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Iwate Medical University, Japan.

It is reported in the European and American literature that salivary duct cysts constitute about 10% of all cysts of the salivary glands, although they appear to be rare in Japan. Between 1975 and 1999, only 3 (0.5%) of 586 salivary gland cysts were diagnosed as salivary duct cysts at the Division of Clinical Pathology, Iwate Medical University Hospital. Read More

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2000 Oct;90(4):404-5

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2000 Feb;89(2):159-63

Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Elmhurst Hospital Center, Elmhurst, NY 11373, USA.

Mucoceles originating from the submandibular gland are extremely rare. A review of the English literature resulted in identification of only 5 such cases. We have diagnosed and treated 2 submandibular mucoceles. Read More

J Oral Maxillofac Surg 1999 Nov;57(11):1353-6

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, USA.

Nihon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho 1999 Feb;102(2):286-9

Pediatr Dent 1998 Nov-Dec;20(7):404-10

This is a retrospective study of biopsied oral lesions (N = 534) in a pediatric population (0-15 years old) in southern Taiwan. In this study, we included 6% of the 9672 biopsies performed from 1985 through 1996. The lesions were divided into three groups according to patients' ages, 0-5 years old; 6-10 years old; and 11-15 years old The majority of the samples were from the oldest age group (273/518). Read More

Pediatr Radiol 1998 Jun;28(6):418-25

Departamento de Radiología, Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica, Marcoleta 367, Santiago, Chile.

Salivary gland lesions are uncommon in children and may be related to the parotid, submandibular or sublingual glands. Inflammatory lesions are the most common cause of salivary gland abnormalities in children and can be due to acute viral, acute suppurative, or recurrent acute or chronic inflammation. Intraparotid lymphadenitis may also occur, as in cat-scratch disease or in other causes of cervical lymphadenitis. Read More

Rev Stomatol Chir Maxillofac 1998 Apr;99(1):25-9

Institut de Stomatologie et de Chirurgie Maxillo-Faciale, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris.

We present the case of a patient who presented an unusually large mucoid cyst measuring 38 x 25 mm in an uncommon localization, the right maxillary. We examine the topographic and histological characteristics of mucoceles together with their treatment. The main differential diagnoses of liquid tumoral formations of the maxillary are also discussed. Read More

Adv Otorhinolaryngol 1995 ;49:136-9

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital Kiel, Germany.

Rev Stomatol Chir Maxillofac 1993 ;94(6):366-70

Département de Chirurgie, Hôpital Cantonal Universitaire de Genève, Suisse.

For patients with cerebral palsy, chronic drooling is the result of an abnormality in the cerebral control of orofacial motor functions. Sialorrhea is a troublesome problem for these patients and their attendants. Among various surgical techniques, rerouting of the Stensen's ducts and bilateral excision of the submandibular salivary glands, as described by Wilkie, gives good results. Read More