Mucocele (Mucous Cyst)

CHAPTER 52


Mucocele


(Mucous Cyst)


Presentation


A patient may be alarmed by the rapid development of a soft, rounded, nontender, fluctuant cyst, most often found inside the lower lip. The cyst varies from 2 to 10 mm in diameter. The surface is made up of pearly or translucent mucosa. It is relatively painless or asymptomatic (Figure 52-1). The patient may be aware of previous recent or remote trauma to the lip, or he may have a habit of biting his lip.


image


Figure 52-1 Traumatic mucous cyst. (Copyright © Vilma Pineda, DDS, Dermatlas; http://www.dermatlas.org.)


What To Do:


image Reassure the patient that this is not a serious tumor.


image Refer the patient to an appropriate oral surgeon who can perform laser ablation cryosurgery, electrocautery, or total cyst excision.


image Alternatively, a micromarsupialization technique for mucoceles in pediatric patients has been reported. Place a 4-0 silk suture through the widest diameter of the dome of the lesion without engaging the underlying tissue. Tie a surgical knot, and leave the suture in place for 7 days, allowing a new epithelial-lined duct to form and providing egress of saliva from the obstructed minor salivary gland. The recurrence rate after this procedure was approximately 14% in pediatric patients.


What Not To Do:


image Do not use the micromarsupialization technique on mucoceles that are larger than 1 cm in diameter.


image Do not simply unroof these lesions. They will typically recur.


Aug 11, 2016 | Posted by in EMERGENCY MEDICINE | Comments Off on Mucocele (Mucous Cyst)

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