John D Harrison1. 1. Department of Oral Pathology, King's College London Dental Institute at Guy's, King's College and St Thomas' Hospitals, London, United Kingdom.
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Rohan R Walvekar; Geoffrey Peters; Elliot Hardy; Leonard Alsfeld; Frederick W Stromeyer; Dwayne Anderson; Michael DiLeo Journal: World J Surg Oncol Date: 2011-07-18 Impact factor: 2.754