Abstract
Fourteen cases of surgically and histopathologically proven plunging ranulas were evaluated sonographically. Ultrasound scans were performed in all eases using commercially available mechanical are scanner and electronic scanner employing 7.5-MHz and 5-MHz transducers respectively in an immersion method.
The results are summarized below.
Boundary echoes were clear except for one case, and seven cases out of the fourteen showed irregular borders. The shape of the cysts were ovoid and oblong or a conglomeration composed of the two shapes. Cystic patterns were shown in eleven cascs and hypoechoic solid patterns were shown in the remaining three cases. Internal echoes that were linear in shape and suggested the existance of septa were demonstrated in seven cases of cystic patterns and two cases of solid patterns. Enhancement of posterior echoes were observed in five cases and the degree of echogenicity varied in each case. By using ultrasound imaging, the lesion and adjacent structures could be studied and their relationship better understood, which was valuable in the preoperative diagnosis.
