There is no clinical difference between extravasation
and retention mucoceles. Mucoceles present a bluish,
soft and transparent cystic swelling which frequently resolves
spontaneously. The blue colour is caused by vascular
congestion, and tissular cyanosis of the tissue above
and the accumulation of fluid below. Coloration can
also vary depending on the size of the lesion, proximity
to the surface and upper tissue elasticity (3,6,10). Lesion
duration is not constant, from a few days to 3 years (4).
Bagán et al. provide a study of 25 patients suffering from
mucoceles. 48% of the patients became aware of their
lesion on seeing it although there were no symptoms. In
the case of another 48 %, lesions were found by a specialist
by chance. Only 4% patients had some unspecified
feeling of discomfort but no real pain (1).