Introduction: Ranula is a pseudocyst of the sublingual gland, often of unknown etiology. In few cases, it can extend to the neck when passing through the mylohyoid muscle. Diagnosis is not always easy as other cervical cystic lesions may have the same clinical aspect. Some ranulas recur after removal. The aim of our study was to conduct a review about plunging ranulas, with a focus on the most useful paraclinical exams and the most effective treatment.
Material and methods: A review of the literature has been conducted in the PubMed database between 2015 and 2010 using following keywords: plunging ranula, recurrent plunging ranula.
Results: Thirteen articles reporting 37 cases of plunging ranulas have been selected. Among these cases, 3 recurred. Paraclinical exams consisted in US, CT scan and MRI. Main reported treatment was sublingual gland removal, sometime associated with marsupialization.
Discussion: The most useful paraclinical exam is CT scan. Total sublingual gland removal is the most efficient treatment.
Keywords: Cou; Neck; Ranula; Recurrence; Récidive.
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