Changes

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Surgical drainage and removal of the damaged gland and duct is the treatment of choice.  Many of the salivary glands lie in close association with major structures of the head (including the cranial nerves and major blood vessels) and it may be advisable to refer such cases to a specialist centre for surgical removal.  If the mucocoele cannot be removed surgically, it may be drained periodically by percutaneous aspiration.  However, mucocoeles managed in this way rapidly recur and surgical removal of the tissue responsible for production of the saliva is preferable.

'''Surgical drainage and removal of the damaged gland''' and duct is the treatment of choice.  Many of the salivary glands lie in close association with major structures of the head (including the cranial nerves and major blood vessels) and it may be advisable to refer such cases to a specialist centre for surgical removal.  If the mucocoele cannot be removed surgically, it may be drained periodically by percutaneous aspiration.  However, mucocoeles managed in this way rapidly recur and surgical removal of the tissue responsible for production of the saliva is preferable.

Ranulas (which are within the buccal cavity) may be treated by marsupialisation, in which the wall of the ranula is incised to allow the contents to drain into the mouth.  The rim of the ranula must then be sutured to the oral mucosa to hold the aperture open.  

'''Ranulas''' (which are within the buccal cavity) may be treated by '''marsupialisation''', in which the wall of the ranula is incised to allow the contents to drain into the mouth.  The rim of the ranula must then be sutured to the oral mucosa to hold the aperture open.  

Pharyngeal mucoceles require complete gland and duct removal to alleviate dyspnoea and a temporary tracheostomy tube may be required in severe cases.

Pharyngeal mucoceles require complete gland and duct removal to alleviate dyspnoea and a temporary tracheostomy tube may be required in severe cases.