Ranula - Pathogenesis And Management

The term ‘ranula’ implies a transparent cystic swelling in the floor of the mouth which is usually unilateral. The current aetiological theory is that these cysts arise from the sublingual salivary glands and present as two clinical types: (1) the simple ranula (which has an epithelial lining) or (2) the plunging ranula (which is an extravasation pseudocyst). This is poorly understood and 8 cases presenting to the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London, over the previous 10 years are described to illustrate the difficulties in management. Treatment consists of excision of the associated sublingual glands which are the origin of these lesions.