Mucocele of the gland of Blandin–Nuhn: histological and clinical findings

Abstract

The authors examined the clinical and histopathological features of 48 cases of mucocele of the glands of Blandin-Nuhn. Data of all patients with mucocele treated at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery totaled 312 cases during the 6-year period of study were analyzed. There was no sex predominance, and most patients were younger than 20 years. All lesions were located on the ventral surface of the tongue, and they were more frequently observed at the tip of the tongue whereas few ones occurred more posteriorly. All lesions presented a polypoid appearance. Histopathologically, the mucoceles were of the extravasation type and trauma might be the most frequent etiological factor. This type of mucocele was the second most frequent one and should not be considered rare.

Oral mucocele: review of the literature

“…According to many studies there is no difference between genders (1,4,5,8,9). There is no clinical difference between extravasation and retention mucoceles.…”

Mucocele of the Glands of Blandin-Nuhn – Case Report

“…Many authors suggest that it should be the tip itself. However, Jinbu et al [5] and de Camargo Moraes et al [6] notice the occurrence of cysts in various parts of the front side of the body of the tongue. The lesion's size of 2-3 cm is quite typical, however smaller ones of several mm are observed more often.…”

“…According to Nico et al [11], in a group of 104 patients, 50% were aged below 20 and 34.6% were aged below 15. As stated by de Camargo Moraes et al [6], a substantial group of patients was of children's age, 10-19 (22 cases -46.9%), and only 2 patients (4%) were persons aged over 40.…”

“…There are three groups of glands within a human tongue: Weber's glands alongside the surface, Ebner's glands around the lingual papillae and the glands of Blandin-Nuhn on the front part of the tongue [6].…”

“…Also, 19 cases (73%) were in the middle line and 7 cysts were observed laterally from the middle line. The research of de Camargo Moraes [6] covered a group of 312 cases or oral mucocele, only 48 of which (15.4%) were located within tongue. In this group, 34 cases (70.8%) occurred in the middle line, 2 (4%) in the lateral part and 12 (25.2%) between the tip and root.…”