Mucous cyst

• Illustrations
• Alternative names
• Definition
• Causes, incidence, and risk factors
• Symptoms
• Signs and tests

• Treatment
• Expectations (prognosis)
• Complications
• Calling your health care provider
• Prevention

Alternative names    Return to top

Definition    Return to top

A mucous cyst is a painless, bluish, transparent structure consisting of clear fluid trapped beneath a thin layer of mucous membrane.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors    Return to top

Mucous cysts are common on the inner surface of the lips and appear as a semitransparent fluid-filled vesicle. They are painless but bothersome because people are so aware of irregularities in the mouth. The cysts are thought to be caused by sucking action drawing the mucous membranes between the teeth. Mucous cysts are harmless. If left untreated, however, they can organize and form a permanent bump on the inner surface of the lip.

Symptoms    Return to top

• a transparent fluid filled bleb on the inside of the lip
• also seen on the tongue, palate, inside the cheeks (buccal mucosa) and the floor of the mouth (ranulas)
• lesion is painless

Signs and tests    Return to top

Physical examination is sufficient to diagnose a mucous cyst.

Treatment    Return to top

A mucous cyst often can be left alone; it usually will rupture spontaneously. Opening the top of the bleb with sterile needle is curative. If theВ cyst recurs, it may need to be removed (excised).

Note: To prevent infection and damage to the tissue, opening the bleb should NOT be performed at home by the parents; it should be performed by your health care provider.Oral surgeons and some dentists can easily remove the lesions if they continue to be uncomfortable.

Expectations (prognosis)    Return to top

Full recovery can be expected.

Complications    Return to top

There are usually no complications.

Calling your health care provider    Return to top

If it becomes uncomfortable, have theВ cyst examined by your health care provider during a routine examination.

Prevention    Return to top

There is no known prevention. Avoiding intentionally sucking the cheeks or lips between the teeth may be helpful.