4.11 Mucocele (Mucous cyst)

agk’s Library of Common Simple Emergencies

Presentation

A patient may be alarmed by the rapid development of a soft, rounded cyst most often ocuring inside the lower lip. the cyst varies from 2 to 10mm in diameter and the surface is made up of pearly or translucent mucosa. The patient may be aware of previous trauma to the lip.

What to do:

• Reassure the patient that this is not a serious tumor.
• Refer the patient to an appropriate oral surgeon where laser ablation or total cyst excision can be performed.

Discussion

This cyst is caused by traumatic rupture of the mucus gland duct with extravasation of sialomucin into the submucosa. This most often occurs inside the lower lip but may also occur under the tongue or in the buccal mucosa. These traumatic mucous retention cysts easily rupture, releasing sticky, straw-colored fluid.

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