Oral Mucocele: Review of the Literature

Mucocele is a common lesion of the oral mucosa that results from an alteration of minor salivary glands due to a mucous accumulation. Mucocele involves mucin accumulation causing limited swelling. Two histological types exist extravasation and retention. Mucoceles can appear at any site of the oral mucosa where minor salivary glands are present. Diagnosis is principally clinical; therefore, the anamnesis should be carried out correctly, looking for previous trauma. The most common location of the extravasation mucocele is the lower lip, while retention mucoceles can be found at any other site. Mucoceles can affect the general population, but most commonly young patients (20-30 years old). Clinically they consist of a soft, bluish and transparent cystic swelling which normally resolves spontaneously. Treatment frequently involves surgical removal. Never-theless micro marsupialization, cryosurgery, steroid injections and CO2 laser are also described. Mucocele is a common lesion and affects the general population. For this reason we felt it would be interesting review the clinical characteristics of mucoceles, and their treatment and evolution in order to aid decision-making in daily clinical practice.