Modern management and pathophysiology of ranula: Literature review

Background There is a lack of consensus about the appropriate treatment of ranula. The objective of the present investigation was to produce a scientific basis for treatment. Methods A review of the relevant literature is interpreted in the light of improved knowledge about the local anatomy and the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inHead & neck Vol. 32; no. 10; pp. 1310 - 1320
Main Author Harrison, John D.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.10.2010
Wiley
Subjects
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
extravasation mucocele
Humans
Medical sciences
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
ranula
Ranula - physiopathology
Ranula - therapy
salivary gland disease
Salivary Gland Diseases - physiopathology
Salivary Gland Diseases - therapy
sublingual gland
Sublingual Gland - anatomy & histology
Sublingual Gland - physiopathology
Sublingual Gland - surgery
submandibular gland
Submandibular Gland - anatomy & histology
Submandibular Gland - physiopathology
Submandibular Gland - surgery
extravasation mucocele
Mucocele
Pathophysiology
Stomatology
Submandibular gland
ENT
Sublingual cyst
Salivary gland disease
Treatment
Extravasation
ranula
Sublingual gland
Bibliographic review
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Summary:Background There is a lack of consensus about the appropriate treatment of ranula. The objective of the present investigation was to produce a scientific basis for treatment. Methods A review of the relevant literature is interpreted in the light of improved knowledge about the local anatomy and the pathophysiology of the salivary glands. Results The oral and plunging ranulas are cystic extravasation mucoceles that arise from the sublingual gland and usually from a torn duct of Rivinus. The sublingual gland is a spontaneous secretor and the salivary flow is resistant to obstruction, which is caused by fibrosis induced by the extravasation. The submandibular gland is not a spontaneous secretor, is less resistant, and does not give rise to ranulas. Conclusions Effective treatment is removal of the involved unit of the sublingual gland or inducing sufficient fibrosis to seal the leak through which the mucus extravasates. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
Bibliography:istex:473A2AF44D9911C6E3CFB317BD24C93807FB3D55
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ArticleID:HED21326
ObjectType-Article-2
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-3
content type line 23
ObjectType-Review-1
ISSN:1043-3074
1097-0347
DOI:10.1002/hed.21326