• 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.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.84-86
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• 2002

Plunging ranula is occured in about 10% of all ranula cases although surgery is the first choice therapy. However, frequent recurrences of the disease due to insufficient surgery have been reported, and various therapies have been designed in addition to surgery. We here report a case on whom we conducted intralesional injection of OK-432 for recurrent plunging ranula. A 36-year-old man was admitted who had a 2-months history of swelling of right submandibular area. He had been operated for right plunging ranula twice, 7 years ago. Under fluoroscopic guidance, contents of the ranula were aspirated and OK-432 solution was injected twice with 3-week interval. Examination after 6 weeks showed that the cystic ranula seen before therapy had disappeared completely and no recurrence was encountered after 18months. Therefore the intralesional injection of OK-432 is effective method for treatment of the plunging ranula.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.31-37
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• 2008

Background and Objectives: In most cases of benign neck cysts, surgical excision has been considered as treatment of choice. However, sometimes complete excision is very difficult, and recurrences has been occured due to insufficient surgery frequently. In this point of view, non-surgical treatment has been attempted with sclerosing agents such as picibanil(OK-432). In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of picibanil sclerotherapy for benign neck cysts. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed 53 patients(27 males, 26 females) who had undergone sclerotherapy with picibanil for benign neck cysts such as ranula, lymphangioma, thyroglossal duct cyst and branchial cyst. Information was gathered with respected to age, sex, number of injections, side effect and outcome of treatment. All patients were treated with intralesional aspiration of cystic contents and injection of picibanil, and followed on neck ultrasonography or neck CT. Results: 53 patients received sonoguided sclerotherapy using picibanil(OK-432). 31 patients(41.3%) showed total shrinkage, near total shrinkage(more than 90% of volume) in 7 patients(9.3%), marked shrinkage(more than 70%) in 5 patients(6.6%) and partial shrinkage(less than 70%) in 17 patients. 15 patients(20%) reaveled no response and 8 patients showed recurrences with repeated sclerotherapy. The side effects of therapy were observed by symptoms such as fever, localized pain and odynophagia. However, these complications disappeared after several days in all cases. Conclusions: We recognized that picibanil(OK-432) sclerotherapy for benign neck cyst is a safe and effective procedures as a primary treatment before considering surgery.