Giant Plunging Ranula Presenting As an Emergency: A Case Report

Abstract

Plunging ranulas are pseudocysts which originate from major salivary glands and present as neck swellings with possible life-threatening complications. We present an unusual case of a plunging ranula which presented as an emergency. The patient presented at our clinic with a 4-year history of an asymptomatic recurrent neck swelling which we diagnosed as a ranula. She was clinically stable and we planned for elective surgery in five days. However, three days after clinic review, she presented at the emergency room on account of dyspnoea and dysphagia. She was hospitalized and the surgery was carried out as an emergency, life-saving procedure. This case highlights the importance of anticipating life-threatening complications in seemingly clinically stable cases