Lip
Mucous Retention Cyst
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Mucous Retention Cyst
, Mucocele
Epidemiology
Most common in children and young adults
Causes
Local
Trauma
(e.g. biting lip)
Pathophysiology
Results from
Trauma
tic rupture of
Salivary Gland
s
Results in mucin spillage into lower lip
Signs
Benign lesion 1-2 cm diameter
Round, regular, translucent or bluish
Nodule
Distribution
Typically occurs on inside of lower lip
May occur in any oral surface with
Salivary Gland
s
Consistency
Early lesions are fluctuant
Later lesions are firm and fibrotic
Differential Diagnosis
Lip Neoplasm
Lip Aneurysm
Dermoid
Cyst
Management
Small Mucoceles resolve spontaneously without treatment
Local treatment techniques
Indicated in lesions that are typical for Mucocele
Anesthesia
with
Local Lidocaine
with
Epinephrine
at the base of the lesion
Technique 1
Shave the lesion with scalpel, removing the top 50-75% but leaving the base
Obtain
Hemostasis
Technique 2
Place 4-0 or 5-0
Nylon Suture
through the Mucocele, creating 2 holes in its surface
Tie the
Suture
and remove in 5-7 days
Other techniques
Cryotherapy
Electrocautery
Surgical excision
Indicated for suspicious lesions (refer to otolaryngology, oral facial surgery or dermatology)
Also excise minor
Salivary Gland
s at Mucocele base
Send for pathology to rule-out neoplasia
References
Warrington (2020) Crit Dec Emerg Med 34(1): 13
Randall (2022) Am Fam Physician 105(4): 369-76 [PubMed]
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