Preliminary experience with promethazine hydrochloride injection in the sclerotherapy of oral mucocele

Abstract

Mucoceles are common in the minor salivary and sublingual glands. Sclerotherapy is a possible treatment strategy for mucoceles. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of sclerotherapy with promethazine hydrochloride injection in treating mucoceles. Thirty-seven patients were enrolled. Sclerotherapy was performed with promethazine hydrochloride injection (25mg/ml) through the mucosa. Patients were followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months after the last sclerotherapy. Clinical data were reviewed. The lesions (range 2–30mm in diameter) occurred on the ventral tongue tip (20 patients), lower lip (11 patients), and floor of the mouth (six patients). The amount of sclerosant per injection ranged from 0.2ml to 1ml. At the 6-month follow-up, 33 patients showed resolution with no recurrence. One patient showed a significant response with a 5-mm-diameter nodule remaining after two sclerotherapies. Three patients who underwent two or more sclerotherapies failed to show an improvement. The overall cure rate was 91.9% (96.8% for mucoceles of the minor salivary gland, 66.7% for ranulas). Complications were rare and mild. Sclerotherapy with promethazine hydrochloride injection for the treatment of mucoceles is safe. It is effective for mucoceles of the minor salivary glands, but its application for ranulas requires further investigation.