4.11 Mucocele (Mucous cyst)
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agk's Library of Common Simple Emergencies

Presentation
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A patient may be alarmed by the rapid develop- 
ment of a soft, rounded cyst most often occur- 
ing 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:
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- 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
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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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 from Buttaravoli & Stair: COMMON SIMPLE EMERGENCIES
 Longwood Information LLC 4822 Quebec St NW Wash DC
 1.202.237.0971 fax 1.202.244.8393 electra@clark.net
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