Mucocele and Ranula Questions & Answers

Updated: Jun 22, 2023
  • Author: Catherine M Flaitz, DDS, MS; Chief Editor: Jeff Burgess, DDS, MSD  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is mucocele and ranula?

What is the pathophysiology of mucocele and ranula?

What is the role of the salivary glands in the etiology of mucocele and ranula?

What causes congenital mucoceles?

What causes ranulas?

What is the role of mylohyoid muscle in the etiology of mucocele and ranula?

What causes superficial mucoceles?

What is the prevalence of mucocele and ranula in the US?

What is the global prevalence of mucocele and ranula?

What are the racial predilections of mucocele and ranula?

How does the incidence of mucocele and ranula vary by sex?

How does the prevalence of mucocele and ranula vary by age?

What is the prognosis of mucocele and ranula?

What should be included in patient education about mucocele and ranula?

Presentation

What are the signs and symptoms of mucoceles?

What are the signs and symptoms of ranula?

Which physical findings suggest mucoceles?

Which physical findings suggest ranula?

DDX

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of mucoceles?

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of superficial mucoceles?

Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of cervical ranula?

What should be included in the differential diagnoses of mucus retention cysts?

What are the differential diagnoses for Mucocele and Ranula?

Workup

What is the role of imaging studies in the diagnosis for mucocele and ranula?

What is the role of biopsy in the diagnosis of mucocele and ranula?

Which histologic findings are characteristic of mucocele and ranula?

Treatment

What is the treatment of choice for persistent mucocele and ranula?

What is the role of medications in the treatment of mucocele and ranula?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of mucocele and ranula?

What is the role of surgery in the treatment of superficial mucoceles?

What are the treatment options for oral ranulas?

What are the treatment options for cervical ranulas?

How are mucus retention cysts treated?

Which specialist consultations are beneficial in the treatment of mucocele and ranula?

Which dietary modifications are used in the treatment of mucocele and ranula?

Which activity modifications are used in the treatment of mucocele and ranula after surgery?

What are potential complications of mucocele and ranula?

How are mucoceles and ranulas prevented?

What is the recurrence rate of mucus extravasation phenomenon following surgical excision?

What is the recurrence rate of superficial mucoceles after surgery?

What are the recurrence rates of an oral ranula after surgery?

What is the recurrence rate of cervical ranula after surgery?