Causes and risk factors
Ranula is a retention cyst in the floor of the mouth. It arises from minor salivary glands. They are pseudocysts lined by condensed connective tissue in response to inflammation of salivary secretions. Trauma, infection, or inflammation can lead to blockage of saliva, which causes ranula.
Clinical presentation
Ranula is seen as thin-walled, unilocular, and homogenous cystic swelling. Ranula can be of 2 types – simple and plunging. Simple ranula presents as bluish translucent cyst in the floor of the mouth. Pain may or may not be present. It resembles belly of a frog. It fills the mouth and raises the tongue. The cyst may enlarge and penetrate the mylohyoid muscle and present in the neck known as plunging ranula. It is also known as cervical or diving ranula.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and clinical examination by the ENT doctor helps in diagnosis. Imaging studies such as CT scan, USG may be useful for further evaluation. Sialogram of submandibular duct may be performed.
Treatment
Treatment involves surgical excision of the ranula if it is confined to the mouth. Incision and drainage will also help in managing the ranula. In case of plunging ranula, marsupialization is performed. Intraoral excision of the sublingual gland is required in some cases. Sclerotherapy can contribute further to its treatment.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating ranula. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly, the Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates are also found to be effective in treating ranula.
