Clinical characteristics, treatment, and evolution of 89 mucoceles in children.

PURPOSE: The present study was undertaken to evaluate mucoceles in the oral cavity of pediatric patients, including the clinical characteristics, treatment, and progress of the lesions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed from the medical records of patients (0-14 years old) treated for oral mucoceles between 1998 and 2008 in a reference children's hospital. All subjects with mucoceles on lips, mouth, buccal mucosa, and palate were included. The following data were recorded: age, gender, history of trauma, location, size, progression, time before diagnosis, treatment, histologic type, follow-up time, and recurrence.

RESULTS: A total of 89 patients (mean age, 6.1 years) participated in this study. There were 89 mucoceles: 4 were congenital; 79.8% were located on the lower lip; and 69% were larger than 5 mm in diameter. Average progression time was 5.7 months (range, 1-24 months). It was observed that older patients developed more mucoceles on the tongue and lips and younger patients developed more mucoceles on the buccal mucosa and palate. The lesions of 39 subjects resolved spontaneously; 50 were removed but 4 reappeared afterward. Histologically, all lesions were extravasation mucoceles.

CONCLUSION: Mucoceles were more commonly located on the lower lip; 43.8% resolved spontaneously and 8% of the surgically removed mucoceles reappeared.