Regression of both oral mucocele and parotid swellings, following antiretroviral therapy

Benign Lymphoepithelial Cyst of Parotid Glands in HIV Infected Patients on Anti-Retroviral Therapy: A Narrative Review

Human immunodeficiency virus-associated salivary gland disease is a complication seen in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with the commonest manifestation being the benign lymphoepithelial cyst (BLEC). The purpose of this study was to systematically review the effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Human Immune Virus-infected patients with confirmed benign lymphoepithelial cysts of the parotid gland. The review was conducted between August 2020 and December 2021 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. Patients infected with a diagnosis of BLEC of parotid gland based were included. Studies from all countries were included with no age, language, and time restrictions. We used Microsoft Excel to create a data extraction form piloted before the official start. Inter-rater agreement was calculated for most of the data collection. The risk of bias was assessed using a Cochrane tool. After reviewing 512 records, 42 met the study criteria with a total of 785 patients. The median sample size of all eligible studies was 10 ranging from 2 to 60. The pooled mean age was 29 years ± 24.2. Studies primarily assessed the effect of ART on BLECs. Patients examined in the studies ranged from children to the elderly. Studies from South Africa had a higher proportion of women while American studies had a higher proportion of men. There is evidence that ARVs are effective in treating BLEC and may be used as first-line therapy for HIV infected patients.

Benign Lymphoepithelial Lesion of the Parotid Gland in the Setting of HAART

The benign lymphoepithelial lesion is a rare and diagnostically challenging entity. Classically, these lesions present as early manifestation of HIV infection and are rarely seen in those on highly active antiretroviral therapy. We describe 2 rare cases of HIV-associated lympho-epithelial lesions of parotid gland in a 37-year-old female and a 47-year-old male receiving antiretroviral therapy. The lesions were characterized with respect to clinical features, as well as histopathology and radiology findings. Fine-needle aspiration cytology revealed benign squamous epithelium and lymphocytes. Sonographic evaluation of the parotid gland demonstrated intraparotid solid hypoechoic nodule. Computed tomography showed cystic and solid masses. These lesions were diagnosed as benign lymphoepithelial lesions in both cases. To our knowledge, this is the first report in the published literature describing newly occurring benign lymphoepithelial lesions in patients on antiretroviral therapy.

Salivary gland disease in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: A review

The effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on salivary glands has diagnostic and prognostic significance. HIV-salivary gland disease (HIV-SGD) is comprehensively ascertained amongst the major critical acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related oral manifestation and causes substantial morbidity. Parotid gland swelling due to sicca syndrome, parotid lipomatosis, sialadenitis, diffuse infiltrative lymphocytosis syndrome, benign lymphoepithelial lesions, neoplasms (benign or malignant) of salivary gland, parotid gland inflammation, diminished flow rates of saliva and xerostomia have been documented that also affects the health- associated characteristics of life in subjects infected with HIV. There is a necessity for health care researchers to diagnose it, particularly as it might worsen if left undiagnosed. The precise characteristic of alterations in dynamics of salivary gland structure and functionality with long-standing usage of highly active anti-retroviral therapy still remains unknown. HIV positive children also present with bilateral parotid enlargement and the syndrome state with classical clinical and cytological features of predominated lymphoid hyperplasia. Though various case reports and studies have been extensively published on different aspects of HIV-SGD, it has not been described solely, thus leading to occasional confusion of nomenclature and clinical presentation of HIV-SGD. This article reviews the pathogenesis of HIV-related SGD and its components and various other miscellaneous disorders affecting the salivary glands in HIV/AIDS.

Oral mucocele/ranula: Another human immunodeficiency virus-related salivary gland disease?

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To describe clinical characteristics of oral mucoceles/ranulas, with a focus on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related salivary gland diseases.

STUDY DESIGN

A descriptive and clinical study, with review of patient data.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We reviewed 113 referred cases of oral mucocele. The following anatomical sites were identified: lip, tongue, and floor of the mouth (simple ranulas), as well as plunging ranulas. The age and gender data of the patients with oral mucoceles were recorded. The HIV status of the patients and other information were reviewed.

RESULTS

There were 30 (26.5%) males and 83 (73.5%) females. Most patients were below 30 years of age, with the peak frequency in the first and second decade. Ranula (simple and plunging) represented 84.1% of the mucocele locations. Mucocele on the lips represented 10.6%. Seventy-two (63.7%) patients were HIV positive; and 97.2% of them had ranulas. Thirty-eight (33.6%) patients presented with plunging ranulas; and 92.1% of them were HIV positive, compared with two patients presenting with plunging ranulas in the HIV-negative group. These results strongly suggest that an HIV-positive patient is statistically (P < 0.001) more at risk of presenting with not only a simple, but also a plunging ranula type.

CONCLUSION

This study presents a different clinical picture of oral mucoceles/ranulas, as observed in HIV-positive patients. Additionally, it suggests a possible clinical link between the two pathologies. The authors strongly support the suggestion that oral mucocele/ranula is an HIV-related salivary gland disease.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4.

Oral mucocele: A clinical and histopathological study

Background:

Oral mucocele is the most common benign minor (accessory) salivary gland lesion, caused due to mechanical trauma to the excretory duct of the gland. Clinically they are characterized by single or multiple, soft, fluctuant nodule, ranging from the normal color of the oral mucosa to deep blue. It affects at any age and is equally present in both sexes with highest incidence in second decade of life. They are classified as extravasation or retention type.

Objectives:

To analyze the data between 2010 and 2011 of, clinically and histopathologically diagnosed 58 oral mucoceles for age, gender, type, site, color, cause, symptoms and dimension.

Results:

Oral mucoceles were highly prevalent in the age group of 15-24 years, were seen in 51.72% of males and 48.28% of females, with a ratio of 1.07:1. The extravasation type (84.48%) was more common than the retention type (15.52%). The most common affected site was lower lip (36.20%) followed by ventral surface of the tongue (25.86%). The lowest frequency was observed in floor of mouth, upper lip and palate. The maximum numbers of mucoceles were asymptomatic (58.62%), and the color of the overlying mucosa had color of adjacent normal mucosa (48.28%). It was also observed that most of the mucoceles had diameter ranging from 5 to 14 mm. The causative factors of the lesion were lip biting (22.41%), trauma (5.18%) and numerous lesions (72.41%).

Conclusion:

Oral Mucoceles are frequently seen in an oral medicine service, mainly affecting young people and lower lip, measuring around 5 to 14 mm and the extravasation type being the most common.

Evaluation of alpha-fetoprotein staging system for hepatocellular carcinoma in noncirrhotic patients

The Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging classification is commonly used for staging hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This system assumes the coexistence of cirrhosis; however, a significant proportion of patients with HCC present without cirrhosis. Recently, an alternative system was proposed that stratifies patients according to alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level. The aim of this study was to apply the AFP staging system to noncirrhotic patients with HCC and evaluate its ability to predict overall survival (OS). A prospective hepatopancreatobiliary database was reviewed for all patients with a diagnosis of HCC. Patients were staged based on BCLC classification as well as by AFP stage according to four levels: less than 10 ng/mL, 10 to 150 ng/mL, 150 to 500 ng/mL, and greater than 500 ng/mL. Cirrhotic patients were compared with noncirrhotic patients in terms of patient demographics and HCC stage. Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis of OS was performed for noncirrhotic patients according to BCLC and AFP staging systems. Cirrhotic and noncirrhotic patients differed significantly in terms of median age at presentation (64 vs 70 years, P < 0.001) and gender (76 vs 65% male, P = 0.006). BCLS staging classification did not distinguish between cirrhotics and noncirrhotics (P = 0.733), whereas AFP staging demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.0001). KM analysis of OS for noncirrhotic patients with HCC was significant for both the BCLC and the AFP staging systems (P = 0.003 vs P < 0.0001, respectively). Patients presenting with HCC in the absence of cirrhosis appear to have different characteristics than patients with cirrhosis. Staging according to AFP level is an appropriate predictor of prognosis in noncirrhotic patients with HCC.

Oral manifestations of human immunodeficiency virus in children: An institutional study at highly active antiretroviral therapy centre in India

CONTEXT

More than 1000 children are newly infected with Human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV) every day, and of these more than half will die as a result of AIDS due to lack of access to HIV treatment. HIV disease varies considerably in children. Among those infected prenatally, some experience few or no symptoms for years, whereas in others the disease progresses rapidly. The risk factors that influence the development of such oral manifestations include, low CD4+ T cell count, xerostomia and lack of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

AIMS

To identify the oral manifestations of HIV in children receiving HAART.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study comprised 95 children receiving HAART. 95 HIV +ve children not receiving HAART and 95 HIV -ve children were also included for comparing the manifestations of HIV.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Statistical analysis was done using Fisher's Chi-square test. Probability value (P value) was obtained for the three groups.

RESULTS

The manifestations of HIV that were observed in children receiving HAART include dental caries (26%), periodontal diseases (23%), candidiasis (19%), hyperpigmentation (17%), ulcerative stomatitis (9%) and one case of mucocele. These manifestations were compared with HIV +ve children not receiving HAART and HIV -ve children to find manifestations with statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that HAART had increased the disease-free states in HIV +ve children on HAART promising them better life span. The incidence of oral lesions can further come down with adequate oral hygiene measures in HIV-infected children.

Benign lymphoepithelial cysts of the parotid: long-term surgical results

Benign lymphoepithelial cysts are a widely recognized cause of parotid gland swelling in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These cysts are pathognomonic for HIV. The cysts frequently grow to be exceptionally large, causing physical deformity and gross asymmetry of facial contour. This clinical commentary analyzes this cosmetically deforming disease entity and the many treatments that accompany it. The patient presented in this paper is a surgical case-control. The case is a microcosm for our findings upon review of the literature. Treatment options for benign lymphoepithelial cysts include repeated fine-needle aspiration and drainage, surgery, radiotherapy, sclerotherapy, and conservative therapy, with institution of highly active antiretroviral therapy medication. Based on this surgical case-control and our review of the literature, it is concluded that surgical intervention offers the best cosmetic result for these patients.

Selected topics on lymphoid lesions in the head and neck regions

Lymphoid tissue located in the head and neck region include multiple regional lymph node chains as well as mucosa associated lymphoid tissue of the conjunctiva, buccal and nasopharyngeal cavities (Waldeyer's ring), and thyroid and salivary glands. This region is a rich source of antigenic stimuli including infectious agents coming from the outside environment. Many reactive conditions that affect lymphoid tissue in this region may mimic neoplasia. In fact, distinguishing between benign and malignant lymphoid proliferations in the head and neck region is a relatively frequent diagnostic challenge and in many instances, this distinction is not straightforward. It therefore behooves the practicing pathologist to be able to recognize the benign lymphoproliferative disorders that affect this region so as to effectively guide the appropriate clinical management of such patients. Kimura disease, Epstein Barr lymphadenitis, HIV associated salivary gland disease and chronic sialadenitis are benign conditions that not infrequently affect lymphoid tissue in the head and neck region and that share certain overlapping features with malignant lymphoma. In this brief review, we discuss these conditions and highlight clinicopathological features that may help distinguish them from neoplastic lymphoproliferations that may share similar features.