AKA
- Mucus Extravasion Phenomenon, Mucus Escape Reaction
Incidence
- Children and young adults
Cause
- Spillage of mucin from ruptured salivary gland duct into surrounding tissue, often due to trauma
Clinical Presentation
- not a true cyst because it lacks epithelial lining
- mucin below the mucosal surface imparts a bluish translucent hue
- Often fluctuant, but can feel firmer to palpation
- The vesicle appearance is created by the superficial nature of the mucin spillage, which causes separation of the epithelium from the connective tissue.
- Many patients report recurrent swelling that periodically may rupture and release fluid content.
- Also reports lesion enlargement around mealtime.
Location
- Lower lips (81%) > FOM (5.8%), anterior ventral tongue (5.7%)> buccal mucosa (4.7%) > palate (1.4%) > retromolar pad (0.5%)
- Rarely develop on the upper lip
Histopathology
- Area of spilled mucin surrounded by granulation tissue
- Inflammation includes numerous foamy histiocytes (macrophages).
Treatment
- Can rupture and heal by themselves
- To minimize risk of recurrence, can remove adjacent minor salivary glands
