Reversible facial nerve palsy due to parotid abscess

INTRODUCTION

A facial nerve palsy combined with parotid enlargement usually suggests malignancy. It is highly unusual for facial nerve palsy to result from a benign situation such as inflammation or infection of the gland.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We present a rare case of facial nerve palsy due to parotid abscess.

DISCUSSION

A literature search retrieved thirty-two cases of facial nerve palsy due to benign parotid lesions since 1969. Only nine reported the presence of a parotid abscess. The etiology of paralysis remains unknown although certain factors such as the virulence of the offending organisms or perineuritis, have been suggested. Best diagnostic evaluation and management are discussed.

CONCLUSION

In clinical practice, exclusion of malignancy is mandatory, as it represents the most common cause of facial palsy in the presence of a parotid lump.

Use of steroids for facial nerve paralysis after parotidectomy: A systematic review

AIM: To systematically review the literature to assess the efficacy of corticosteroids in treating post-parotidectomy facial nerve palsy (FNP).

METHODS: We searched the Cochrane library, EMBASE and MEDLINE (from inception to 2014) for studies assessing the use of corticosteroids in post-parotidectomy FNP. Studies were assessed for inclusion and quality. Data was extracted from included studies.

RESULTS: Two randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. One study assessed the use of dexamethasone and the other prednisolone. None of the studies demonstrated a significant difference in the outcome of FNP post-parotidectomy with the use of corticosteroids vs no therapy. The majority of FNP post-parotidectomy is transient. Preoperative factors (size of tumour and malignancy), intraoperative factors (extent of parotidectomy and integrity of facial nerve at the end of the operation) are important in determining prognosis of FNP if it does occur.

CONCLUSION: Corticosteroids do not appear to improve FNP prognosis post-parotidectomy. Further studies assessing patients by cohort and with long term follow-up are required to increase scientific evidence.

Solitary Fibrous Tumor of the Parotid Gland: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION

Solitary fibrous tumor is a rare, mesenchymal neoplasm that has been reported in numerous sites. Occurrence in the parotid gland is exceedingly rare.

CASE REPORT

A 53-year-old man with a 2 cm solitary fibrous tumor of the left parotid gland, that was observed clinically and operatively and thought to be a neoplasm arising from Stensen's duct, is described. A pre-operative CT scan demonstrated a well-circumscribed, solid, avidly-enhancing nodule superficial to the masseter muscle, deep to the platysma, and intimately associated with the parotid duct. Multiple fine needle aspirations yielded scant fibrous tissue and lymphocytes. A superficial parotidectomy was performed. The histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were in keeping with solitary fibrous tumor, fibrous variant, with a low mitotic rate and a peripherally-entrapped parotid duct surrounded by abundant periductal collagen and lymphocytes. At a 2-year follow up, there was no evidence of tumor recurrence or metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Solitary fibrous tumor should be suspected in the context of a slow-growing, well-circumscribed, solid, avidly-enhancing nodule of the parotid gland. Grossly intimate association with the parotid duct may reflect peripheral entrapment. Fine needle aspirations that predominantly yield collagen without spindle cell clusters should be correlated with clinical and radiological findings, as it is expected in tumor sampling of the fibrous variant. Although solitary fibrous tumor of the parotid gland usually exhibits benign behavior, it is best regarded as potentially malignant. Patient management and follow-up should be tailored to each individual and clinicopathological risk assessment of the recurrent/metastatic potential.

Sialodochitis fibrinosa managed with staged bilateral total parotidectomy

OBJECTIVE

This paper reports a rare case of a 61-year-old man with sialodochitis fibrinosa.

METHODS

Clinical case report and review of current literature.

RESULTS

Sialodochitis fibrinosa is a diagnosis of exclusion and in many cases can be managed conservatively. Conservative management failed for this patient and he was managed successfully with staged bilateral total parotidectomy.

CONCLUSION

Sialodochitis fibrinosa should be considered as a differential diagnosis of painful bilateral facial swelling. While conservative management is successful for many patients, staged bilateral total parotidectomy may be necessary for full remission of symptoms; the timing of this is crucial to reduce the risk of facial nerve palsy.

Unusual cause of unilateral facial oedema: intramuscular dirofilariasis

INTRODUCTION

Unilateral facial oedema may occur due to inflammatory, infective, or cystic pathology; patients often seek medical help at an early stage.

CASE REPORT

We report one such case caused mimicking a parotid abscess, caused by dirofilariasis.

CONCLUSION

Dirofilariasis is an emerging zoonosis and should be considered a differential diagnosis of atypical facial swelling. It is equally important for clinicians, radiologists, and pathologists to be familiar with the diagnostic characteristics to avoid misdiagnosis.

[Surgery for parotid gland cancer-controversial and proven aspects]

BACKGROUND

Due to the rarity of primary parotid malignancies, there are currently only limited clinical study data on the optimal surgical therapy. Parotid malignancies encompass a broad spectrum of more than 20 different histological subtypes with varying biology, which thus represents a challenge for even experienced pathologists and head and neck surgeons with proven expertise in salivary gland surgery.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this review article is to provide an overview of the current literature on surgical therapy of the primary tumor and the cN0 neck as well as treatment of the facial nerve, and to shed light on the various controversial aspects of this topic.

RESULTS

In salivary gland oncology there is a trend towards safe (R0) but more conservative surgery. Currently, less-invasive surgical approaches could potentially be applied in a small subgroup with carefully selected caudally located and R0-resected "low-grade tumors" in stages T1-T2 and cN0 in relatively young patients with high compliance and more in the context of structured clinical studies. Elective neck dissection in the case of cN0 status should be carried out if risk factors for occult cervical lymph node metastasis (T3-T4a, "high-grade subtypes," advanced age, lymphangitic carcinomatosis) are present. In cases of small "low-grade parotid carcinomas," narrow resection margins or even microscopic tumor residues on the facial nerve can potentially be adequately compensated with adjuvant radiation therapy. However, due to the lack of solid data, the significance of the actual effect of the radiation in this situation should be viewed with great caution.