Superficial Mucocele: A Rare Presentation

Abstract

Superficial mucoceles are benign, small, translucent vesicles occurring in any part of the oral cavity, due to extravasation of saliva due to ruptured minor salivary gland ducts. This distinct entity presents as single or multiple asymptomatic vesicles. The etiology is unclear; however, these are not associated with a history of trauma, unlike the conventional mucoceles. These lesions tend to be recurrent and are occasionally associated with discomfort to the patients. Since they clinically mimic various vesiculobullous lesions such as pemphigoid, bullous lichen planus, or herpes virus infection, they are often misdiagnosed. Asymptomatic superficial mucoceles or lesions in multiple locations do not require treatment. Nevertheless, the treatment for lesions causing discomfort includes surgical excision, cryosurgery, and carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser. This case report describes a rare presentation of superficial mucocele along the midline of the hard palate in a 30-year-old male patient, which was histopathologically confirmed post-surgical excision; the patient is currently disease free with no recurrence for six months.

Keywords: excision; hard palate; minor salivary gland; mucocele; recurrence.

Figure 1. Clinical photograph showing two dome-shaped, 3 x 3 mm vesicles along the midline of the hard palate.

Figure 2. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain (10x) showing extravasated mucin-containing mucinophages from adjacent minor salivary glands.