Primary pleomorphic adenoma of minor salivary gland in the parapharyngeal space

Abstract

BackgroundWorld literature suggests parapharyngeal space lesions account for only 0.5% head and neck tumours and the majority of the minor salivary gland tumours are malignant. The parapharyngeal space is very rare site for this tumour.Case presentationTwo cases of primary pleomorphic adenomas arising de novo from minor salivary glands in the para pharyngeal space are reported. Review of literature, clinical features, pathology, radiological findings and treatment of these tumours are discussed.ConclusionPleomorphic adenoma arising de novo in the parapharyngeal space is of rare occurrence. High index of suspicion and an adequate clearance of the tumour with a cuff of surrounding dispensable normal tissues is the key to successful treatment of such tumours.

Pleomorphic Adenoma of Soft Palate: Unusual Occurrence of the Major Tumor in Minor Salivary Gland—A Case Report and Literature Review

“…CT scan and MRI can provide information on the location, size and spread of tumor to surrounding superficial and deep structures and to some extent in determining type of tumor. In all radiological images of these lesions, one should look out for the presence of intact fat plane, the presence of which rules out malignancy [26].…”

Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Glossotonsillar Sulcus: A Rare Presentation

“…Rare cases have been reported in the nasopharynx [1] and para-pharyngeal space [7]. Clinically these tumors tend to be slow growing and usually present as an enlarging mass; other symptoms include location-specific symptoms such as odynophagia (such as our case), or compression symptoms such as cranial nerve palsies [1,3,5,6,7]. The differential diagnosis should include other benign growths (mucocele, myoepithelioma, monomorphic adenoma), as well as malignant tumors of which the most common minor salivary gland tumour is an adenoid cystic carcinoma.…”

“…Common locations of PSA of the minor salivary glands are the palate, buccal mucosa, lips and retromolar area [4,6]. Rare cases have been reported in the nasopharynx [1] and para-pharyngeal space [7].…”

“…The diagnosis of PSA is carried out through careful clinical assessment, histological analysis, and complementary imaging, usually in the form of MRI [1,3,4,6]. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment with no role for radiotherapy or chemotherapy initially, although it can be considered in recurrent disease [1].…”

“…These tumors are more likely to be malignant as compared to tumors of the major salivary glands, although benign tumors are still common place [2]. The most frequently encountered benign tumor is the pleomorphic adenoma which usually occurs in the palate at the junction between the hard and soft palate [3,4], although other intraoral sites have been reported [1,[4][5][6][7]. We present here a rare occurrence of a pleomorphic adenoma arising from right glosso-tonsillar sulcus.…”