Plunging Ranula mimicking Extensive Submandibular Gland Abscess: A Diagnostic Challenge

Abstract

Ranula is a salivary gland cyst that typically presents as loca lized superficial swelling over the floor of the mouth. Complex or plunging ranulas develop when the mucus extravasation extends through or around the mylohyoid muscle, deeper into the neck, and present with neck lump along with or without swelling over the floor of mouth. It is not a straightforward diagnosis in case of superimposed infection as it will resemble a submandibular gland abscess clinically and radiologically. We report here a case of large plunging ranula, which initially diagnosed radiologically as submandibular gland abscess with extension to parapharyngeal space.