Pathophysiology and Management of the Ranula / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Ranulas are pseudocysts on the floor of the mouth resulting from the retention or extravasation of saliva from the sublingual gland (SLG). The etiology of ranulas is unknown, but they have been associated with local trauma or previous surgery. The anatomic variation of the ductal system of the SLG such as Bartholin's duct might be a possible cause of ranulas. Treatment modalities range from conservative to various surgical techniques, including sclerotherapy, marsupialization, excision of the ranulas with or without excision of the SLG and botox injection. Recently, less invasive treatment modality such as micro-marsupialization has been introduced. It was able to easily and safely treat the ranulas. But it also has the possibility of recurrence, especially in cases having anatomic variation of the ductal system of the SLG. A definitive and reliable treatment choice is surgical resection of the SLG with or without marsupialization than other, more conservative treatments.