A typical clinical presentation of oral mucocele

Abstract

Oral mucocele appears bluish if they are superfi cial. The appearance is similar to that of normal mucosa if it is deep. Mucocele appearing whitish is rare. The probable cause for the whitish appearance could be an underlying fi brosis due to chronic and repeated trauma. This case report intends to present an unusual appearance of mucocele of lower lip. Mucoceles are cavities fi lled in with mucus and lined by epithelium. Clinically, there are two types of mucocele namely retention and extravasation. Trauma is the frequent cause of mucocele. The clinical presentation of each of these types of mucocele is diff erent depending whether it is retention or extravasation. A 23-year-old man reported with recurrent swelling in the lower labial mucosa. Examination revealed a solitary, whitish appearing, non-fl uctuant swelling which was soft in consistency and non-tender. Based on the clinical and histopathological fi ndings, a diagnosis of extravasation mucocele was given. Although mucoceles appear as either bluish or similar to the colour normal mucosa, this case presents an atypical appearance of whitish appearing mucocele.