A Clinical and Experimental Study of Mucocele (Retention Cyst)

¹ Division of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

The authors reviewed the gross, microscopic, and the clinical features of 66 human mucoceles. They also attempted to produce such lesions experimentally in rats by different methods. Their experimental work indicates that severance or pinching of the excretory duct of the salivary glands rather than complete obstruction may play a critical role in the production of mucocele-like lesions. The role of partial obstruction, however, has not been investigated. It would appear that in occasional cases partial obstruction may also cause the formation of such lesions.