Ranula: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
m (Robot: Automated text replacement (-{{SIB}} +, -{{EH}} +, -{{EJ}} +, -{{Editor Help}} +, -{{Editor Join}} +))
 
(4 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 17: Line 17:


'''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' Berna Zorkun DMD [mailto:bernazorkun@gmail.com]
'''Associate Editor-In-Chief:''' Berna Zorkun DMD [mailto:bernazorkun@gmail.com]
{{EH}}


==Overview==
==Overview==
A '''ranula''' is a type of [[mucocele]] found on the floor of the [[mouth]].  Ranulas present as a [[Swelling (medical)|swelling]] of [[connective tissue]] consisting of collected [[mucin]] from a ruptured [[salivary gland]] [[duct]], which is usually caused by local trauma.  
A '''ranula''' is a type of [[mucocele]] found on the floor of the [[mouth]].  Ranulas present as a [[Swelling (medical)|swelling]] of [[connective tissue]] consisting of collected [[mucin]] from a ruptured [[salivary gland]] [[duct]], which is usually caused by local trauma.  


Line 34: Line 31:
==Appearance==
==Appearance==


An oral ranula is a fluctuant swelling with a bluish translucent color that somewhat resembles the underbelly of a frog [[Rana]]. If it is deepere it doesn not have this bluish appearance. If it is large ( 2 or more cm.), it may hide the salivary gland and affect the location of the tongue. Most frequently it stems from the subligual salivary gland, but also from the submandibular gland.
An oral ranula is a fluctuant swelling with a bluish translucent color that somewhat resembles the underbelly of a frog "Rana". If it is deeper it does not have this bluish appearance. If it is large ( 2 or more cm.), it may hide the salivary gland and affect the location of the tongue. Most frequently it stems from the sublingual [[salivary gland]], but also from the [[submandibular gland]].


Though normally above the [[mylohyoid muscle]], if a ranula is found deeper in the floor of the mouth, it can appear to have a normal color.  A ranula below the mylohyoid muscle is referred to as a "plunging or cervical ranula", and produces swelling of the neck with or without swelling in the floor of the mouth.   
Though normally above the [[mylohyoid muscle]], if a ranula is found deeper in the floor of the mouth, it can appear to have a normal color.  A ranula below the [[mylohyoid muscle]] is referred to as a "plunging or cervical ranula", and produces swelling of the neck with or without swelling in the floor of the mouth.   


Ranulas measure several centimeters in diameter and are usually larger than [[mucoceles]]. As a result, when ranulas are present the tongue may be elevated. As with mucoceles, ranulas may be subject to recurrent swelling with occasional rupturing of its contents. When pressed, they may not blanch.
Ranulas measure several centimeters in diameter and are usually larger than [[mucocele]]s. As a result, when ranulas are present the tongue may be elevated. As with [[mucocele]]s, ranulas may be subject to recurrent swelling with occasional rupturing of its contents. When pressed, they may not blanch.


==Symptoms==
==Symptoms==


Ranulas are usually asymptomatic, although they may change gradually in size, shrinking and swelling. The overlying skin is usually intact. The mass is not fixed and is  also not tender. The mass is not connected to the thyroid gland or lymph nodes. The mass may not be well defined.  If it gets large enough it may interfere with swallowing, and cervical ranulas may even interfere with breathing.  Some pain may be connected with very larrge ranulas.
Ranulas are usually asymptomatic, although they may change gradually in size, shrinking and swelling. The overlying skin is usually intact. The mass is not fixed and is  also not tender. The mass is not connected to the thyroid gland or lymph nodes. The mass may not be well defined.  If it gets large enough it may interfere with swallowing, and cervical ranulas may even interfere with breathing.  Some pain may be connected with very larrge ranulas.
==CT==
Cystic mass in the sublingual area.
<div align="left">
<gallery heights="175" widths="175">
Image:Ranula-001.jpg|CT demonstrates a Ranula <small>Image courtesy of RadsWiki and copylefted</small>
Image:Ranula-002.jpg|CT demonstrates a Ranula <small>Image courtesy of RadsWiki and copylefted</small>
Image:Ranula-003.jpg|CT demonstrates a Ranula <small>Image courtesy of RadsWiki and copylefted</small>
Image:Ranula-004.jpg|CT demonstrates a Ranula <small>Image courtesy of RadsWiki and copylefted</small>
Image:Ranula-005.jpg|CT demonstrates a Ranula <small>Image courtesy of RadsWiki and copylefted</small>
</gallery>
</div>


==Histology==
==Histology==
Line 61: Line 71:
* http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic648.htm  Ranula Catherine M Flaitz, DDS, MS
* http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic648.htm  Ranula Catherine M Flaitz, DDS, MS


{{SIB}}
 
{{Oral pathology}}
{{Oral pathology}}



Latest revision as of 15:33, 20 August 2012

Template:DiseaseDisorder infobox

WikiDoc Resources for Ranula

Articles

Most recent articles on Ranula

Most cited articles on Ranula

Review articles on Ranula

Articles on Ranula in N Eng J Med, Lancet, BMJ

Media

Powerpoint slides on Ranula

Images of Ranula

Photos of Ranula

Podcasts & MP3s on Ranula

Videos on Ranula

Evidence Based Medicine

Cochrane Collaboration on Ranula

Bandolier on Ranula

TRIP on Ranula

Clinical Trials

Ongoing Trials on Ranula at Clinical Trials.gov

Trial results on Ranula

Clinical Trials on Ranula at Google

Guidelines / Policies / Govt

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse on Ranula

NICE Guidance on Ranula

NHS PRODIGY Guidance

FDA on Ranula

CDC on Ranula

Books

Books on Ranula

News

Ranula in the news

Be alerted to news on Ranula

News trends on Ranula

Commentary

Blogs on Ranula

Definitions

Definitions of Ranula

Patient Resources / Community

Patient resources on Ranula

Discussion groups on Ranula

Patient Handouts on Ranula

Directions to Hospitals Treating Ranula

Risk calculators and risk factors for Ranula

Healthcare Provider Resources

Symptoms of Ranula

Causes & Risk Factors for Ranula

Diagnostic studies for Ranula

Treatment of Ranula

Continuing Medical Education (CME)

CME Programs on Ranula

International

Ranula en Espanol

Ranula en Francais

Business

Ranula in the Marketplace

Patents on Ranula

Experimental / Informatics

List of terms related to Ranula

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Associate Editor-In-Chief: Berna Zorkun DMD [2]

Overview

A ranula is a type of mucocele found on the floor of the mouth. Ranulas present as a swelling of connective tissue consisting of collected mucin from a ruptured salivary gland duct, which is usually caused by local trauma.

Etymology

The latin rana means frog, and a ranula is so named because its appearance is sometimes compared to a frog's underbelly.

Locations

The gland that most likely causes a ranula is the sublingual gland. Nonetheless, the submandibular gland and minor salivary glands may be involved.

Appearance

An oral ranula is a fluctuant swelling with a bluish translucent color that somewhat resembles the underbelly of a frog "Rana". If it is deeper it does not have this bluish appearance. If it is large ( 2 or more cm.), it may hide the salivary gland and affect the location of the tongue. Most frequently it stems from the sublingual salivary gland, but also from the submandibular gland.

Though normally above the mylohyoid muscle, if a ranula is found deeper in the floor of the mouth, it can appear to have a normal color. A ranula below the mylohyoid muscle is referred to as a "plunging or cervical ranula", and produces swelling of the neck with or without swelling in the floor of the mouth.

Ranulas measure several centimeters in diameter and are usually larger than mucoceles. As a result, when ranulas are present the tongue may be elevated. As with mucoceles, ranulas may be subject to recurrent swelling with occasional rupturing of its contents. When pressed, they may not blanch.

Symptoms

Ranulas are usually asymptomatic, although they may change gradually in size, shrinking and swelling. The overlying skin is usually intact. The mass is not fixed and is also not tender. The mass is not connected to the thyroid gland or lymph nodes. The mass may not be well defined. If it gets large enough it may interfere with swallowing, and cervical ranulas may even interfere with breathing. Some pain may be connected with very larrge ranulas.

CT

Cystic mass in the sublingual area.

Histology

Microscopically, ranulas are cystic saliva filled distensions of salivary gland ducts on the floor of the mouth along side the tongue, and are lined by epithelium. A salivary mucocele, in contrast is not lined by epithelium.

Treatment

Treatment of ranulas involves excision of the top of the lesion in a procedure known as "marsupialization". Ranulas may reoccur if the sublingual gland or other gland causing them is not removed. There is little morbidity or mortality connected with treatment.

References

  • Kahn, Michael A. Basic Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. Volume 1. 2001.

External links


Template:Oral pathology
de:Ranula

Template:WH Template:WS