Oral mucocele: A clinicopathological analysis of 50 cases

Background: Mucocele belongs to the category of reactive lesions affecting the salivary gland related to obstruction or trauma of the salivary glands. These are pseudocysts formed due to the accumulation of pooled mucus. Objectives: To evaluate the clinicopathologic features including variations of 50 oral mucocele cases Materials and Methods: Archival review for the 50 cases reported as mucoceles was performed, and data for the following parameters were recorded: Age, gender, history of trauma, site and clinical presentation, variation in histology, treatment mode, and recurrence. Results: A total of 50 cases of mucoceles were retrieved for the archives for study. All were extravasation phenomenon (100%), no retention phenomenon was found, seen in the second (36%) and third (46%) decade, with male preponderance (male:female 19:6). Most common locations were lower lip (96%), floor of the mouth (6%), and ventral tongue (4%). Commonly presented as soft, fluctuant, bluish swelling associated with history of trauma. Variations included superficial mucocele (10%), clear cell change (4%) and papillary infoldings (2%) and 6% of recurrence cases. Conclusion: Although it is a benign lesion which is commonly encountered and excised in dental practice, the classic clinical presentation of soft, fluctuant swelling accompanied by history of evolution of the lesion does not pose much difficulty in diagnosis. Special variants of oral mucoceles occur infrequently; it is important to recognize these variants to avoid misdiagnosis, it is always wise to subject it to histopathological confirmation owing to its close clinical resemblance to neoplastic condition.