AtlasSoft TissueMucocele

Soft Tissue Lesions

Mucocele

aka Mucous Extravasation Cyst · Mucous Retention Cyst

Dome-shaped, fluctuant swelling from extravasation or retention of saliva in minor salivary glands, most common on lower lip.

Type
Extravasation (common) / Retention (rare)
Site
Lower lip
Rx
Excision with gland

§ overviewOverview

Cystic or pseudocystic accumulation of mucin following rupture of a salivary duct (extravasation) or obstruction (retention).

§ icdICD Classification

K11.6

§ etiologyEtiology

  • 01Trauma to minor salivary gland duct (extravasation)
  • 02Duct obstruction (retention)

§ epidemiologyEpidemiology

Most common salivary gland lesion. Young adults/children. Lower lip (60–70%).

§ pathogenesisPathogenesis

Duct rupture → mucin spillage into connective tissue → granulation tissue wall (extravasation). True retention cyst has epithelial lining.

§ clinicalClinical Features

  • 01Painless, dome-shaped, bluish-translucent swelling
  • 02Fluctuant
  • 03History of trauma/lip biting
  • 04May rupture and recur

§ differentialDifferential Diagnosis

  • 01Fibroma
  • 02Hemangioma
  • 03Lipoma
  • 04Salivary gland tumour

§ histopathHistopathology

  • 01Extravasation: mucin pool surrounded by granulation tissue, no epithelial lining
  • 02Retention: mucin-filled cavity with ductal epithelial lining

§ investigationsInvestigations

  • 01Clinical diagnosis; excisional biopsy confirms

§ treatmentTreatment

  • 01Excision with associated minor salivary gland
  • 02Marsupialization (ranula)

§ complicationsComplications

  • 01Recurrence if gland not removed

§ prognosisPrognosis

Excellent with complete excision.

§ examKey Examination Points

  • 01Extravasation type lacks epithelial lining
  • 02Lower lip most common site
  • 03Remove gland to prevent recurrence

§ revisionQuick Revision Summary

  • 01Bluish fluctuant lower lip swelling
  • 02Extravasation = pseudocyst
  • 03Excise with gland

§ vivaBDS Viva Questions

  • 01Differentiate extravasation from retention mucocele.
  • 02What is the treatment?
  • 03Why does it recur?

§ mcqsMCQs — Assessment (3)

Question 1

Most common site for mucocele:

Question 2

Extravasation mucocele is:

Question 3

To prevent recurrence, remove:

References

  1. Neville BW. Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, 4e

Draft — pending faculty review. Educational use only; verify against current guidelines and primary sources before clinical application.