A rare case of recurrent congenital sialolipoma of parotid gland in a 3‑year‑old child: A case report and review of literature

Sialolipoma of the parotid gland: A rare entity. Case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Lipomatous neoplasms of the parotid gland represent an exceptionally rare and often underdiagnosed category of tumors, accounting for an incidence ranging from 0.6 % to 4.4 % of all neoplasms detected within the parotid gland. Sialolipoma is defined as an uncommon variant of lipoma, characterized by a well-defined proliferation of mature adipocytes with secondary entrapment of salivary gland elements, including serous acini, ducts, and myoepithelial cells.

CASE PRESENTATION

The current case pertains to a 17-year-old female who presented with a one-year history of enlargement in the left preauricular region.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

The case we present poses a complex diagnostic challenge due to two distinct characteristics. The diagnostic challenge lies in its remarkably low incidence and the propensity for confusion with pleomorphic adenoma, which is the most common tumor of the parotid gland. It is a benign disease entity characterized by the absence of dysplasia, in marked contrast to pleomorphic adenoma.

CONCLUSIONS

The infrequency in the manifestation of these tumor types, coupled with their prolonged asymptomatic course, can pose a diagnostic challenge. Enhancing our knowledge to comprehensively delineate these entities is imperative to effectively address the diagnostic complexities from both clinical and histopathological standpoints.

Pediatric primary salivary gland tumors

OBJECTIVES

To characterize the presentation and treatment of children presenting with primary salivary gland neoplasms.

METHODS

A retrospective review of primary salivary tumor patients presenting to Children's Hospital Colorado between January 2000 and August 2020.

RESULTS

Fifty children were identified with primary salivary gland tumors, comprising of 39 (78 %) benign and 11 (22 %) malignant lesions. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign tumor (36/39, 92 %), while acinic cell carcinoma was the most common malignancy (7/11, 64 %). The parotid gland was the most common site, followed by the submandibular gland (66 % vs. 34 %). No tumors were found in the sublingual glands. Benign neoplasms accounted for 70 % of parotid lesions and 94 % of submandibular tumors. No significant differences in age (13.6 years, SD 4 vs. 13.0 years, SD 4.3) were noted between patients with benign and malignant disease, but tumors in females were more frequently malignant (M:F 1:1.3 vs. 1:2.7 for benign and malignant tumors, respectively). Neck dissection and/or facial nerve sacrifice were required in 27 % (3/11) and 9.1 % (1/11) of malignancies, respectively. Local recurrence was observed in 7.7 % (3/39) of benign cases and 9.1 % (1/11) of malignant cases. No salivary malignancies required chemotherapy, though one patient with neurofibromatosis received imatinib prior to resection. Two patients with locoregional malignancy received adjunctive radiation. The average duration of follow up for benign and malignant disease were 12.6 ± 25 and 45.1 ± 32 months, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents one of the larger single institutional experiences of pediatric primary salivary neoplasms in the past 20 years, identifying pleomorphic adenoma and acinic cell carcinoma as the most common benign and malignant etiologies, respectively. While this review found most neoplasms presented as a localized mass effectively managed with conservative surgical resection, aggressive tumors required multidisciplinary care.