Clinical Analysis of the 22 Cases of Plunging Ranula.
- Author:
Heung Man LEE
1
;
Je Hyuck LEE
;
Jae Gu CHO
;
Jong Seok SONG
;
Seung Hoon LEE
;
Jeong Su WOO
;
Soon Jae HWANG
Author Information
1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. hmlee91@hotmail.com
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Ranula;
Sublingual gland;
Sclerotherapy
- MeSH:
Causality;
Diagnosis;
Escape Reaction;
Facial Nerve;
Female;
Follow-Up Studies;
Humans;
Incidence;
Korea;
Male;
Mouth;
Mucus;
Neck;
Paralysis;
Ranula*;
Recurrence;
Retrospective Studies;
Salivary Glands;
Sclerotherapy;
Sex Distribution;
Sublingual Gland;
Young Adult
- From:Korean Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
2003;46(9):764-768
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The plunging ranula is a relatively uncommon phenomenon which represents a mucus escape reaction occurring from disruption of the sublingual salivary gland. We present a series of 22 patients treated at Korea University Hospital during a 20-year period. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics of plunging ranula in order to provide our experience for its correct diagnosis and treatment. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A retrospective review of 22 patients with this condition was undertaken. Information was collected on age, sex, history of onset, predisposing factors, treatent, post-operative follow-up and outcome of treatment. RESULTS: The patients were all young adults with a median age of 19.8 years old. The sex distribution was male predominant with 15 men and 7 women. Except for one, no patients had any history of preceding trauma to the neck or oral cavity. Six patients had history of previous operation. Managements included 21 surgical approach and one sclerotherapy. There were no recurrences. One patient experienced transient paralysis of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve postoperatively, but it was temporal and was sustained with no further complications. CONCLUSION: The incidence of plunging ranulas was not common. The precise etiology of its predisposition is unknown. Reoval of the sublingual gland via either a cervical or intraoral approach is important in the management of this condition.
