MANAGEMENT OF PEDIATRIC PLUNGING RANULA: CASE REPORT

Abstract

Plunging ranula (PR) is a mucus extravasation pseudocyst arising from the sublingual glands that forms following mucus escape that herniates through the mylohyoid muscle along the fascial planes into the cervical, submandibular, or submental space. They are rare in children, and surgical management is the most common performed therapy. We report a case of an 11-year-old female patient who sought dental treatment after a 3-year history of swelling in the right sublingual gland and the floor of the mouth, which was asymptomatic. The patient's medical history was unremarkable. Computed tomography image showed a well-defined ovoid lesion with hypoattenuation in the right sublingual gland measuring 4.5 × 4 cm. The initial diagnosis was PR, which was later confirmed by anatomopathologic analysis. Surgical excision of the right sublingual gland was performed intraorally under general anesthesia, followed by floor of the mouth marsupialization. The patient is currently being followed-up with no signs of local recurrence. Plunging ranula (PR) is a mucus extravasation pseudocyst arising from the sublingual glands that forms following mucus escape that herniates through the mylohyoid muscle along the fascial planes into the cervical, submandibular, or submental space. They are rare in children, and surgical management is the most common performed therapy. We report a case of an 11-year-old female patient who sought dental treatment after a 3-year history of swelling in the right sublingual gland and the floor of the mouth, which was asymptomatic. The patient's medical history was unremarkable. Computed tomography image showed a well-defined ovoid lesion with hypoattenuation in the right sublingual gland measuring 4.5 × 4 cm. The initial diagnosis was PR, which was later confirmed by anatomopathologic analysis. Surgical excision of the right sublingual gland was performed intraorally under general anesthesia, followed by floor of the mouth marsupialization. The patient is currently being followed-up with no signs of local recurrence.