Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most prevalent malignant tumor originating from the salivary gland. The gradation of MEC is determined histologically based on cellular composition, with high-grade MEC presenting with distinct characteristics and clinical implications. A 56-year-old male presented with a 3-month history of right facial swelling and a recent onset of pain. A subsequent biopsy confirmed a malignant epithelial tumor, with further imaging assisting in determining the surgical approach. Comprehensive surgery, involving the removal of the right submandibular gland and reconstructive procedures, was undertaken. Histopathological evaluation post-surgery confirmed a high-grade MEC. The differentiation between inflammatory conditions and neoplastic lesions in the orofacial region can be challenging. The gradation of MEC is important in guiding therapeutic decisions. Among various classification systems, the Brandwein system offers detailed histopathological criteria that correlate reliably with clinical features. High-grade MECs, although less frequent, are aggressive and have a lower 5-year survival rate. Accurate histopathological diagnosis is crucial in devising an effective treatment plan. The presented case underlines the importance of a meticulous yet periodic follow-up, considering the aggressive nature of high-grade MECs.

Salivary duct carcinoma is a highly malignant tumor that arises from salivary gland. Pathologically, Salivary duct carcinoma is similar to high-grade breast ductal carcinoma. The tumor is commonly associated with pain and facial paralysis and is known to have high rates of recurrence and metastasis. Surgical resection and postoperative radiation is mainstream of the treatment. In this study, we report a case of this tumor which was seen predominantly benign-looking in fine needle aspiration biopsy. The features of this tumor are presented with a review of literature.

Although fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) has been widely accepted as a valuable tool for differential diagnosis of head and neck tumors, the diagnostic value of FNAB in the management of salivary gland tumors has been questioned. This case report presents a patient with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of parotid gland diagnosed as pleomorphic adenoma by FNAB and discusses the pitfalls in the diagnosis of malignant salivary gland tumors.

The salivary glands secrete saliva, which plays a role in the maintenance of a healthy oral environment. Under physiological conditions, saliva secretion within the acinar cells of the gland is regulated by stimulation of specific calcium (Ca2+) signaling mechanisms such as increases in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) via storeoperated Ca2+ entry, which involves components such as Orai1, transient receptor potential (TRP) canonical 1, stromal interaction molecules, and inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP3) receptors (IP3Rs). Homer proteins are scaffold proteins that bind to G protein-coupled receptors, IP3Rs, ryanodine receptors, and TRP channels. However, their exact role in Ca2+ signaling in the salivary glands remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the role of Homer2 in Ca2+ signaling and saliva secretion in parotid gland acinar cells under physiological conditions. Deletion of Homer2 (Homer2−/−) markedly decreased the amplitude of [Ca2+]i oscillations via the stimulation of carbachol, which is physiologically concentrated in parotid acinar cells, whereas the frequency of [Ca2+]i oscillations showed no difference between wild-type and Homer2−/− mice. Homer2−/− mice also showed a significant decrease in amylase release by carbachol in the parotid gland in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that Homer2 plays a critical role in maintaining [Ca2+]i concentration and secretion of saliva in mouse parotid gland acinar cells.

Warthin’s tumor (Papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum) is a benign salivary neoplasm initially. It is predominantly found in the parotid gland and accounts for about 10-15% of all benign tumors of the parotid gland. It is known that it had higher incidence in males and in smokers. Warthin’s tumor had moderate intensity on T1- and T2- weighted images on the magnetic resonance image (MRI). In this case, a 44-year-old man visited our dental hospital with induration and pain on the right preauricular region. The lesion showed high intensity on T2- weighted images on the MRI. We performed tumor removal, with the histopathologic examination confirming Warthin’s tumor. This report presents review of literature and describes a case of Warthin’s tumor with high T2- weighted magnetic resonance image and its surgical treatment.

Canalicular adenoma is an uncommon, benign salivary gland tumor. It has a significant predilection for occurrence in the minor salivary glands, with most cases occurring in the upper lip, followed by the buccal mucosa and palate. Rarely, canalicular adenoma can involve the major salivary glands, such as the parotid gland. Only a small number of cases of canalicular adenoma of the parotid gland have been reported in the literature. We report a rare case of canalicular adenoma on the left parotid gland of an 81-year-old man, and present a review of the literature.

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (Ca ex PA) is an uncommon malignant tumor. It is an aggressive salivary carcinoma, arising from a primary or recurrent benign pleomorphic adenoma (PA). The most common clinical presentation of Ca ex PA is a firm mass in the parotid gland. Here we report a case of Ca ex PA, arising from a recurrent benign PA in the right parotid gland, in a 70-year old female patient. The lesion was first diagnosed as a PA and a superficial parotidectomy was performed. Re-operation was performed for recurrent PA. The second recurrence was diagnosed as Ca ex PA.

Warthin tumor, also known as papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum is a benign neoplasm which occurs mostly in the parotid gland. It is the second most common benign neoplasm of the parotid gland, following pleomorphic adenoma. In occasion, the size of neoplasm grows slowly, and there is no symptom, except swelling. To prevent the recurrence, some surgeons prefer superficial parotidectomy, but the others prefer local resection with minimal surrounding tissue due to its low recurrence rate. We present a case of Warthin tumor of 55-year-old male.

Pilomatricoma is the second most common benign dermal-subcutaneous tumor of the head and neck region, after epidermoid cyst, originating from the outer sheath cells of the hair follicle. It can be easily treated with surgical excision. However, it is a relatively unknown skin lesion to maxillofacial surgeons. Therefore, we report a case of pilomatricoma occuring inferolateral area of the parotid gland in a 54-year-old man; with a review of the relevant literature.

We present a case of intraparotid plexiform neurofibroma in a 7-year-old man. The lesion was determined as plexiform neuroma in histopathological findings, but final diagnosis was plexiform neurofibroma considering his familiy history of neurofibromatosis and café au lait spots on his body. Currently we are executing follow-up after removing the tumor with surgery. Plexiform neurofibroma can develope at any point along a nerve and spread out either just under the skin or deeper in the body. According to the literature, the most common site of plexiform neurofibroma is mouth and face in the head and neck region. Also, plexiform neurofibroma occurs at 8.8-year-old in neurofibromatosis typeⅠ patient with familial history. Because of interlacing with adjacent normal tissue and the invasive nature we have difficult resecting the mass completely. So when the tumor turns symptomatic or disfiguring leading to an aesthetic problem, surgery had better be undertaken.

A Warthin’s tumor of major salivary glands, in particular of parotid glands, is a common benign tumor that may occur synchronously or metachronously in the same or contralateral gland. Moreover, epithelial malignance associated with a Warthin’s tumor is extremely rare, and exists in three forms; epidermoid carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and undifferentiated carcinoma. The reports, related with a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising in a Warthin’s tumor at the parotid gland were reported only additional 3 cases from 1999 to 2010; 30 cases reported up to 1999.[2,4,7] This case report was a extremely rare case where both a primary squamous cell carcinoma and a Warthin's tumor were coexisting in the same

Sialodochitis is an inflammatory disease on salivary gland duct. Although most of sialoadenitis includes inflammatory status of ductal system, an unusual behavior such as localized inflammation only in the duct is rarely observed. Sialodochitis is a very rare disease that was first reported by Kussmaul in 1879.1) Common symptoms of chronic sialodochitis are an excretion of mucous plugs and a swelling of the cheek. Sialodochitis may be associated with a type I hypersensitivity in the salivary duct and parotid gland, because of the large amount of eosinophils in saliva, and the common allergic history such as bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. The management of sialodochitis depends on the severity of disease. The surgical procedure such as drainage operation, sialodochoplasty, or superficial parotidectomy can be selected. We report the case of chronic sialodochitis with literature review.

Most of mucous retention phenomena occurred in the mucous secretory glands, 1 e ‘ minor salivary gland, sublingual gland and submandibular gland. The mucous retention cyst from parotid gland has been very rarely reported in the literature As the parotid gland is composed of serous acini, the serous saliva is less likely to produce the retention phenomenon in the ducts or extraductal tissue. Here, a case of mucous retention cyst in parotid gland was demonstrated The patient of this case has been complaining of recurrent swelling of right cheek in parotid gland a'rea, and showed a feature of chronic sialadenitis or benign salivary gland tumor. The extravasated serous saliva was diffusely dispersed into the adjacent connective tissue, forming an ill-defined cyst cavity with hyalinized sclerotic luminal surface The inflammatory reaction was relatively mild compared to the extensive destruction of periglandular connective tissue However, the typical foamy macrophage was not seen but the infiltrated macrophages containing abundant eosi nophilic cytoplasm. The mucous retention phenomenon could be very rare in parotid gland, which is also easily distinguishable from chronic sialadenitis or benign tumor through path이ogical examination.

Malignant salivary gland neoplasms constitute approximately 1% to 3% of all head and neck malignancies and only 0.3% of all malignant neoplasms. Malignant mixed tumors represent 2.2% of all salivary gland tumors. We experienced a huge malignant mixed tumor in the parotid gland, and obtained good results after surgical excision of the parotid gland and reconstructive operation. Therefore, we report on our experience and review the articles related to that tumor.