title: Plunging Ranula in Children: Case Report and Literature Review.
abstract: Few cases of plunging ranulas (PRs) occur during childhood and the lesions are frequently misdiagnosed. Here, a PR in a child is reported along with a literature review. A seven-year-old female complaining of swelling in the midline neck, left-submandibular region, was evaluated. No oral cavity or major salivary glands abnormalities were detected. On palpation, a soft, painless, and fluid-containing mass was observed. The suspicion PR was performed by ultrasound. The diagnosis was confirmed with a histopathological examination. The lesion was removed with a cervical approach, without recurrence. PR is an uncommon condition in children under 10 years of age. Differential diagnosis depends on clinical examination and ultrasonography. A computed tomography-scan and magnetic resonance imaging can be performed if the diagnosis remains uncertain. In pediatrics, the key to success of the treatment may rely on the radical excision of the cyst and sublingual gland, via an intraoral or submandibular approach.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Maternal and Children's Health, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S.Matteo , Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Carlini
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Unit, Department of Maternal and Children's Health, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S.Matteo and Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia , Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Calcaterra
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Maternal and Children's Health, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S.Matteo , Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Noemi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pasqua
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Maternal and Children's Health, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S.Matteo , Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marinella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guazzotti
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Maternal and Children's Health, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S.Matteo , Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fusillo
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Maternal and Children's Health, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S.Matteo and Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia , Pavia , and Ospedale dei Bambini "G. Di Cristina", A.R.N.A.S. Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pelizzo
keywords: Children; Differential diagnosis; Plunging ranula; Therapy