title: The potential impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the treatment and epidemiology of ranula in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study's aim was to assess the potential therapeutic effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on ranulas in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study includes a retrospective observation of 3 patients who were initially part of a prospective study on the comparative effect of HAART on ranulas in 14 HIV-positive patients. These patients were clinically monitored while pursuing the medical treatment with HAART. Neither a fine needle aspiration nor a surgical procedure was performed. Clinical photographs were used for monitoring of any reduction in the ranula size. The effect of HAART on ranula was assessed at 3, 6 and 12 month.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A complete resolution of the ranula lesion was noticed in the 3 HIV-positive selected patients. These results were observed between 6 and 12 months period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that HAART might present a potential therapeutic effect on ranula in HIV-positive patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Maxillo-Facial and Oral Surgery, University of Pretoria, South Africa. kabunda.syebele@up.ac.za
authors.forename: Kabunda
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Syebele
authors.forename: Thifhelimbilu I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Munzhelele
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D011900:Ranula / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*