A Case Report on Oral Mucocele of Lower Lip

Abstract

Background: Oral mucoceles are benign lesions associated with mucus accumulation following disruption or obstruction of minor salivary gland ducts. The lower lip is a commonly affected site, particularly in children and adolescents, and local trauma or habitual lip biting may contribute to their development. Aim: This report describes the presentation, histopathological confirmation and early postoperative findings of a lower-lip mucocele in an adolescent. Case Presentation: A 14-year-old male presented with a painless swelling on the right side of the lower lip that had gradually increased in size over one month. The patient reported a habit of lower-lip biting. Intraoral examination revealed a solitary, approximately 1 × 1 cm, dome-shaped, soft and compressible swelling with a smooth surface and central bluish hue. Based on the history and clinical findings, a provisional diagnosis of mucocele was made. The lesion was treated by surgical excision and submitted for histopathological examination. Microscopic examination demonstrated a mucin-containing space associated with inflammatory cells and mucinophages, with adjacent minor salivary gland tissue, confirming the diagnosis of mucocele. At the one-week follow-up visit, satisfactory postoperative healing was observed. Conclusion: This case illustrates the characteristic clinical and histopathological features of a lower-lip mucocele in an adolescent with a history of lip biting. Surgical excision provided tissue for histopathological confirmation and was followed by satisfactory short-term healing.