• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.55-58
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• 2013

A ranula is a bluish, transparent, and thin-walled swelling in the floor of the mouth. They originate from the extravasation and subsequent accumulation of saliva from the sublingual gland. Ranulas are usually limited to the sublingual space but they sometimes extend to the submandibular space and parapharyngeal space, which is defined as a plunging ranula. A 21-year-old woman presented with a complaint of a large swelling in the left submandibular region. On contrast-enhanced CT images, it dissected across the midline, and extended to the parapharyngeal space posteriorly and to the submandibular space inferiorly. Several septa and a fluid-fluid level within the lesion were also demonstrated. We diagnosed this lesion as a ranula rather than cystic hygroma due to the location of its center and its sublingual tail sign. As plunging ranula and cystic hygroma are managed with different surgical approaches, it is important to differentiate them radiologically.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2007

Background and Objectives: A plunging ranula represents a mucus escape reaction occuring because of the disruption of the sublingual salivary gland. It is commonly a condition of young adults, although the reported age range is 6-43 years. There is said to be a slightly female preponderance of about 1.9:1(F:M). Surgical incision has been considered the definite treatment, but sometimes complete excision is very difficult. Non-surgical treatment of these lesions has been attempted, but the results have not been satisfactory. In this study, we present our experiences with picibanil (OK-432) sclerotherapy for a plunging ranula. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 41 patients who have undergone sclerotherapy with picibanil for plunging ranula. Information was collected on age, sex, a number of injection, post-sclerotherapy side effect and outcome of treatment. Results: 17 patients (41.5%) showed a complete response, and 20 patients (48.7%) showed inter-mediate response. No response was seen in 4 patients (9.8%). As a side effect of intracystic OK-432 injection therapy, fever (26.8%) and pain(39.0%) were observed. However, fever and pain disappeared after several days in all cases. Conclusion: The results are showing that OK-432 injection is an effective and safe treatment for plunging ranula.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.180-184
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• 2011

The mucocele is a mucus extravasation cyst arising from the salivary gland. Although it is a common?lesion of the minor salivary gland, it is uncommon when it originated from the submandibular gland. The ranula is a form of mucocele which specifically occurs in the floor of the mouth and the sublingual gland is generally accepted as the origin of ranula. They can be classified into two types based on extent: simple ranula are confined to the sublingual space and plunging ranula extend into the adjacent space. It is difficult to differentiate the submandibular gland mucocele from the plunging ranula because both of them can occupy the submandibular space. A 37-year old male visited our clinic with the chief complaint of left facial swelling. The patient's history revealed that he had suffered from a cystic lesion on the left side of the floor of the mouth 10 months previously. He supposed the cystic lesion had come from trauma at other dental clinics. Using CT and MRI, we diagnosed a simple ranula on the sublingual space and a submandibular gland mucocele. We then excised the mucocele with the submandibular gland by an extraoral approach and the sublingual gland by an intraoral approach under general anesthesia. We report a rare case of an enormous submandibular gland mucocele which extended into the pterygoid plate and parapharyngeal space with good surgical results.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.15-18
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• 2023

A plunging ranula is a pseudocyst caused by mucus secreted from the sublingual glands, and it is mainly observed on the mouth floor. Nowadays, sclerotherapy using picibanil has been performed instead of invasive surgical treatment, and studies are reporting safe and effective outcomes. In our study, more than 92% of the 25 patients had marked response after picibanil sclerotherapy, and no serious complications were observed. Picibanil sclerotheraphy can be considered as the primary treatment of plunging ranula for patients who refuse surgery under general anaesthesia.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.160-165
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• 2012

Objectives: This study evaluated the clinical results of partial sublingual glandectomy accompanying the excision of ranula as new treatment modality. Materials and Methods: A total of 43 patients who were treated between 1999 and 2007 for oral or plunging ranula were reviewed. All patients were treated surgically by various methods with a total of 55 different procedures performed. Ten cases of partial sublingual glandectomy with excision of the ranula were conducted. All excised specimens were examined. We compared the clinical outcomes resulting from each treatment method. Results: The recurrence rates for marsupialization, excision of ranula, marsupialization with gauze packing, total excision of sublingual gland and ranula, and partial sublingual glandectomy with excision of ranula were 50%, 25%, 25%, 0% and 10%, respectively. Of the 10 patients treated by partial sublingual glandectomy with ranula excision, only one experienced recurrence (10%), i.e., plunging ranula. None of the ranulas contained an epithelial lining, and the excised portion of the feeding sublingual glands showed degenerative changes. Conclusion: In removal of ranulas, we found that excision of the attached sublingual gland, which removed the feeding portion and degenerative acinar cells, yielded good outcomes. Thus, as a new conservative method for treatment, we recommend partial sublingual glandectomy to accompany excision of the ranula.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.232-236
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• 2022

A ranula is a pseudocyst that originates from the sublingual gland after trauma. Acute cases of ranulas that progress rapidly and cause respiratory distress are rare. Holoprosencephaly is a complex brain malformation caused by incomplete cleavage of the prosencephalon. Children with holoprosencephaly may experience upper airway obstruction due to the associated dentoalveolar malformations and oromotor dysfunctions. We present the case of an eight-year-old female patient with holoprosencephaly and a plunging ranula that manifested as an acute course due to difficult airway management. She required gastrostomy for oromotor dysfunctions related to feeding and swallowing and difficulty managing oral secretions. The sublingual gland and ranula were removed under general anesthesia. Postoperatively, urgent reintubation and close monitoring in the intensive care unit were required due to upper airway obstruction. We successfully managed the patient with close cooperation of a pediatrician and an anesthetist, and no recurrence was observed at the one-year follow-up. A ranula can be caused by trauma to the floor of the mouth in association with lingually inclined mandibular teeth, a type of dentoalveolar compensation seen in maxillary hypoplasia associated with holoprosencephaly. Careful consideration is needed in such cases since airway management can be difficult due to postoperative swelling and oromotor dysfunctions.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.55-58
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• 2010

Epidermal cyst in the floor of mouth is relatively rare disease. Patients usually present soft and non-tender mass at the midline of mouth floor. Careful history taking and imaging study are needed for the diagnosis and surgical excision is the choice of treatment. We report a case of huge epidermal cyst located in the floor of mouth mimicking plunging ranula, which was successfully removed by transoral surgical excision without any complication. It was diagnosed as an epidermal cyst by pathologic examination.