Evaluation of the anterior processes of the parotid gland: an ultrasonographic study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anterior extensions of the parotid gland (AEPG), namely the accessory parotid gland (APG) and the facial process of the parotid gland (FP), using ultrasonography. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 338 parotid glands were scanned bilaterally. APG was defined as a soft tissue mass with the same echogenic features as the main parotid gland (MPG) and not in contact with it, while FP was defined as an extension that exceeded the anterior border of the mandibular ramus and was continuous with the MPG. The anteroposterior, mediolateral, superoinferior dimensions and the mean distance from the MPG to the APG were measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of APG and FP were 19.5% and 36%, respectively, resulting in an AEPG prevalence of 55.6%. The presence of APG was statistically higher in females than in males (p = 0.039). The mean anteroposterior, mediolateral, and superoinferior dimensions of the APG were 18.1 ± 0.57 mm, 0.35 ± 0.17 mm, and 12.3 ± 0.36 mm, respectively, and the mean distance from the MPG was measured as 12.1 ± 0.87 mm. CONCLUSION: This study can raise awareness among clinicians about the presence of AEPG in the differential diagnosis of mid-cheek masses.

Buccal Fat Pad: "Glandula" of Heister or "Boule Graisseuse" of Bichat?

Two prominent personalities in Medicine, Lorenz Heister (1683-1758) and Xavier Bichat (1771-1802), compete for the attribution of the discovery of the buccal fat pad (BFP). A careful reading of the original texts reported here, seems to identify Bichat as the first to describe the BFP. However, Heister most probably was the first to describe an accessory parotid gland.

Surgical management and outcomes of accessory parotid gland neoplasms: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate surgical approaches and outcomes associated with accessory parotid gland neoplasms. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, SCOPUS, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. REVIEW METHODS: A systematic review in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was performed. Studies were included if they reported surgical management and outcomes of patients with accessory parotid gland neoplasms. RESULTS: After screening 3532 records, 15 studies were included with a total of 187 patients. Benign tumors consisted of 61.5% of cases. External open, transoral, and preauricular endoscopic approaches were used for 82.3%, 11.3%, and 6.5% of cases, respectively. Accessory lobe resection alone, concurrent with partial parotidectomy, and concurrent with total parotidectomy were used in 54.8%, 43.0%, and 2.2% of cases, respectively. Complication rates were similar between histology groups (7.8% benign vs. 8.3% malignant, p = 0.82). Accessory lobe resection with concurrent partial parotidectomy had the lowest overall complication rate (6.3%). Resections limited to the accessory lobe were found to have an overall complication rate of 8.7%. CONCLUSION: The results offer an overview of the surgical management and complications for accessory parotid gland tumors. Overall surgical complication rates found in these case series may be lower for management of accessory gland tumors than rates available in the literature for tumors within the main parotid gland.

Rationale for Increasing Oncological Vigilance in Relation to Clinical Findings in Accessory Parotid Gland-Observations Based on 2192 Cases of the Polish Salivary Network Database.

The accessory parotid gland (APG, Vth level) differs in histological structure from main parotid tissue. This gives rise to the hypothesis, mirrored in clinical observations, that the representation of tumours is different than in the rest of the gland. The aim of the study was to analyse the epidemiological and histological differences of parotid tumours located in regions I-V, with particular emphasis on the distinctiveness of region V. To define the epidemiological factors that will indicate the risk of histological malignancy from clinically benign appearance, multicentre prospective studies conducted between 2017-2021 by five Head and Neck Surgery University Departments, cooperating within the Polish Salivary Network Database 1929 patients (1048 women and 881 men), were included. The age, gender, patient occupation, place of inhabitation, tumour size, clinical features of malignancy, histology, and facial nerve (FN) paresis were analysed for superficial (I_II) and deep (III_IV) lobes and with special regard to the tumours affecting region V. Twenty eight tumours were located exclusively in region V (1.45% total) and seventy-two tumours were found in region V exhibiting extensions to neighbouring regions (3.7% total), characterised as significantly younger and less frequent in retirees. In I-IV regions, approximately 90% of tumours were benign, with pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and Whartin tumour (WT) predominance. In region V, PA exceeded 75% but WT were casuistic (2/28). Incidences of malignancies in region V was 40% but clinical signs of malignancy were evident only in tumours > 4 cm or in the presence of FN paresis. In 19% of patients with a benign appearance, imaging revealed malignancy; however, 38% of patients showed false negative results both in terms of clinical and radiological features of malignancy. Logistic regression models in 28 patients with tumours located exclusively in region V vs. 1901 other patients and in 100 patients with V extension vs. 1829 other patients showed no clinical symptoms of malignancy binding with final malignant tumour histology as a single variable or in combination with other variables. The logistic regression models obtained in this study show strong linkage between tumour location and predictors (age, male gender, and tumour diameter) and also aimed to function as a good classifier. Our conclusion is that, despite the very clear image of the mid-cheek tumour which is easily accessible in palpation and ultrasound examination, it is necessary to improve oncological vigilance and preoperative patient preparation.

Contouring the accessory parotid gland and major parotid glands as a single organ at risk during nasopharyngeal carcinoma radiotherapy.

Background and purpose: No research currently exists on the role of the accessory parotid gland (APG) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We thereby aimed to assess the effects of APG on the dosimetry of the parotid glands (PGs) during NPC radiotherapy and evaluate its predictive value for late xerostomia. Material and methods: The clinical data of 32 NPC patients with radiological evidence of the APG treated at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital between November 2020 and February 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinically approved treatment plans consisted of only the PGs as an organ at risk (OAR) (Plan1), while Plan2 was designed by considering the APG as a single organ at risk (OAR). The APG on Plan1 was delineated, and dose-volume parameters of the PGs alone (PG-only) and of the combined structure (PG+APG) were analyzed in both plans. The association of such dosimetric parameters in Plan1 with xerostomia at 6-9 months post-radiotherapy was further explored. Results: Fifty APGs were found, with a mean volume of 3.3 ± 0.2 ml. Significant differences were found in all dosimetric parameters between Plan1 and Plan2. The mean dose and percentage of OAR volumes receiving more than 30 Gy significantly reduced in Plan1 itself (PG-only vs. PG+APG, 39.55 ± 0.83 Gy vs. 37.71 ± 0.75 Gy, and 62.00 ± 2.00% vs. 57.41 ± 1.56%, respectively; p < 001) and reduced further in Plan2 (PG+APG, 36.40 ± 0.74 Gy, and 55.54 ± 1.61%, respectively; p < 0.001). Three additional patients met the dose constraint in Plan1, which increased to seven in Plan2. With APG included, the predictive power of the dosimetric parameters for xerostomia tended to improve, although no significant differences were observed. Conclusion: APG is anatomically similar to the PGs. Our findings suggest the potential benefits of treating the APG and PGs as a single OAR during radiotherapy (RT) of NPC by improving PG sparing.

Low-grade intraductal carcinoma of accessory parotid gland: a case report.

Salivary low-grade intraductal carcinoma (LGIDC) is a rare tumor that mainly occurs in the parotid. Thus far, LGIDC originating from the accessory parotid gland has been rarely reported in domestic and foreign literature. This study reports a case of LGIDC of the accessory parotid gland and a brief summary of its clinical features, diagnostic points, and treatment by reviewing the literature, with the aim of providing a reference for clinical practice and further research.

Hybrid intercalated duct lesion of the parotid: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Intercalated duct lesions (IDLs) are considered relatively benign and rare tumors of salivary glands, that were only described recently. Their histopathological appearance may range from ductal hyperplasia to encapsulated adenoma with hybrid patterns of both variants. It is thought that IDLs may be the precursor for malignant proliferations, therefore their correct diagnosis remains crucial for proper lesion management. It is the first reported IDL case arising from the accessory parotid gland (APG), which stands for less frequent but higher malignancy rate tumor developmental area. CASE SUMMARY: A 24-years-old male with no accompanying diseases was referred to the hospital with a painless nodule on the right cheek. On physical examination, the stiff, immobile, and painless mass was palpable in the anterior portion of the right parotideomasseteric region, just superior to the parotid duct. Ultrasound examination demonstrated 1.5 cm × 1.0 cm hypoechogenic mass on the anterior part of the right parotid gland. Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration cytology, followed by liquid-based fine needle aspiration biopsy were performed. However, the results were uninformative. A contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the parotid was obtained, demonstrating a 1.5 cm × 1.0 cm × 0.5 cm tumor with high intensity capsule together with low intensity core in the very anterior part of right superficial lobe, situated in the APG. An MRI features were uncharacteristic to common parotid tumors, therefore surgical resection followed up. After histopathological examination, the final diagnosis of hybrid IDL was confirmed. CONCLUSION: Fine needle aspiration biopsy might not always be diagnostic, and given the malignant potential, the surgical resection of such lesion remains the treatment of choice.

Transoral Parotidectomy.

Transoral parotidectomy allows for the management of parapharyngeal space tumors and accessory parotid gland tumors without the need for a transfacial/transparotid or mandible splitting procedure. It is a minimally invasive approach that permits a faster recovery and with a lesser risk of facial palsy.

Endoscopic-assisted resection of pleomorphic adenoma in the accessory parotid gland.

Background : An accessory parotid gland (APG) is a common anatomical structure that occurs in 10%-56% of individuals. Pleomorphic adenomas are the most common benign tumors of the APG, and their ideal treatment is surgical excision, although there is a risk for aesthetic disorders and facial nerve damage due to the site of origin. Moreover, despite being benign, these tumors are known to recur. Therefore, it is necessary to achieve both reliable excision and avoidance of facial nerve damage. Case presentation : We report a case of a 49-year-old Japanese man with a mass in his left cheek. The lesion was diagnosed as a benign salivary gland tumor derived from the APG by computed tomography imaging, magnetic resonance imaging and fine needle aspiration cytology. We resected the tumor using modified high submandibular incision under the endoscopic-assisted field of view. Discussion and Conclusions : The tumor was less invasive and reliably resected using an endoscope. In surgical treatment, the endoscopic-assisted technique is very useful to achieve complete tumor resection and prevent relapse while avoiding serious complications due to surgical procedures. J. Med. Invest. 68 : 376-380, August, 2021.

Transoral Excision of a Large Accessory Parotid Gland Tumor.

Accessory parotid gland (APG) tumors account for 1% to 7% of all parotid gland neoplasms but are more likely to be malignant than main parotid gland tumors. Management of APG neoplasms entails surgical excision. Four primary approaches to resection have been described in the literature with varying facial nerve outcomes. We report a case of a 4-cm APG pleomorphic adenoma utilizing a transoral approach for excision without postoperative facial nerve injury. A transoral approach is known to mitigate patients' cosmetic concerns; however, prior reports utilized endoscopic assistance on patients with smaller tumors. We conclude that large APG tumors can be excised through a transoral approach without undue risk to the distal facial nerves, though this transoral approach ultimately may not be appropriate for malignant neoplasms or difficult dissections.

Endoscope-assisted transoral accessory parotid mass excision: Multicenter prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: Transoral surgery is gaining favor because it has the advantage of leaving no scar after surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of endoscope-assisted transoral accessory parotid mass excision. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective, observational study. METHODS: This study was designed as a 7-year, prospective, multicenter evaluation of endoscope-assisted transoral accessory parotid mass excision. Clinical outcomes and complications related to the procedures were evaluated in patients. RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent endoscope-assisted transoral accessory parotid mass excisions, and 22 patients underwent conventional parotidectomy approach excisions. There was no significant difference with respect to overall demographic characteristics between the groups. However, the operation times were shorter in the transoral approach group (P = 0.001), and cosmetic satisfaction was much better in the transoral group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Endoscope-assisted transoral accessory parotid mass excision is a potentially safe and effective procedure with excellent outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 Laryngoscope, 130:1218-1226, 2020.

Review of publications on the possible advantages of a direct cheek incision for accessory parotid gland masses.

Lesions of the accessory parotid gland (APG) are rare and surgical management is generally under-discussed. The surgical approach should provide complete resection, while minimising complications and aesthetic complaints. The current study reviews recent publications on the surgical management of APG masses, and discusses the advantages, and limitations of, and our experience with, direct cheek incision. Papers on the surgical management of APG masses published in the last 10 years were systematically searched. Information was obtained regarding the surgical approach, type of excision, and postoperative complications. In the included studies, 253 APG masses were selected for analysis, whereof six were treated with the direct cheek incision. Although no local recurrence or postoperative complications were observed after this, the approach was usually not recommended due to a higher reported risk of recurrence and complications in older papers. More recent studies, however, indicate that the direct cheek incision should be considered as a valuable alternative to standard approaches in selected patients.

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the accessory parotid gland.

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the accessory parotid gland is rare, and to our knowledge, only two cases have previously been reported. It has an association with the Epstein-Barr virus and is usually seen in Asians and Greenland Eskimos. We report a case of lymphoepithelial carcinoma of the left accessory parotid gland in a 59-year-old European man who had been raised in the Belgian Congo. After excision of the left accessory parotid gland with preservation of the facial nerve, he recovered well without complication, and there was no evidence of locoregional recurrence or distant metastases after follow up of 3.5 years.

Management of accessory parotid gland tumours: 32-year experience from a single institution and review of the literature.

Accessory parotid gland tumours (APGTs) are very rare. Regarding their anatomical location, an adequate surgical approach is necessary to provide safe resection and satisfactory postoperative results. The aims of this study were to present our tertiary centre experience in surgical treatment and management of APGTs and to review the literature regarding their treatment, particularly in terms of surgical modalities. Data of 13 patients with primarily surgically treated APGTs have been collected and analysed. Well-documented English-literature articles of surgically treated APGTs have been extracted from the PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases ending in May 2018, and analysed. Mean age at diagnosis was 41.1 years. The most common benign histological subtype was pleomorphic adenoma (53.8%), while mucoepidermoid carcinoma (23.1%) was most common in malignant counterparts. The malignancy rate was 38.5%. Postoperative results were satisfactory, and the follow-up period was uneventful in all patients except one who died of locoregional recurrence. A total of 57 papers with reported series in APGTs have been identified with a total of 306 APGT cases. From oncological, functional and aesthetic standpoints, approaches through a standard parotidectomy provide satisfactory results.

Management and prognosis of cancers in the accessory parotid gland.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to analyze the clinical management of accessory parotid gland (APG) cancer and possible risk factors for disease-related death. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with primary APG cancers in the largest medical center in Northeast China were enrolled from January 1990 to December 2016. RESULTS: All 43 patients underwent resection of the tumors and superficial parotid gland by a standard Blair incision. Seven (16.3%) patients also required selective neck dissection. The most common lesion was mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Temporary facial paralysis occurred in 11 (25.6%) patients, and permanent facial paralysis occurred in 3 (7.0%) patients because of surgical resection of the facial nerve, which was involved with the tumor. The 5- and 10-year disease-specific survival rates were 86.0% and 66.0%, respectively. The tumor stage, neck status, neck dissection, and tumor grade were significantly associated with disease-related death, but only the tumor grade was an independent risk factor. CONCLUSION: Superficial parotidectomy is a reliable surgical procedure associated with a high survival rate and low morbidity in treating APG cancers. The tumor grade is the key prognostic factor.

Pathology and management of masses in the accessory parotid gland region: 24-year experience at a single institution.

PURPOSE: Masses in the accessory parotid gland (APG) region are clinically rare and their management can lead to conflicts between the need for tumor resection and facial cosmesis. The aim of this study was to analyze the pathological classifications and management of APG lesions in our hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1993 to March 2017, 130 patients with primary tumors in the APG region who underwent surgical treatment were enrolled. Follow-up surveys after surgery were then carried out. RESULTS: Among the 130 patients, 53.8% of lesions were benign (n = 70), 23.8% were malignant (n = 31), 14.6% were vascular malformations (n = 19), 6.15% were sialadenitis (n = 8), and 1.65% were cysts (n = 2). Pleomorphic adenoma accounted for 67.1% of the benign tumors (n = 47). Lymphoma, lymphoepithelial carcinoma, and acinar cell carcinoma topped the list of malignant tumors (5 cases in each group). Surgery and surgery plus radio-chemotherapy were performed for benign and aggressive malignant lesions, respectively. At the time of follow-up, 5-year overall survival was 88.1%; mean follow-up was 139 months (range 3-281 months). CONCLUSIONS: Masses in the APG region have complicated pathological types. Perfect preoperative preparation, with fine-needle aspiration biopsy and imaging examinations, would contribute to identifying characteristics. Treatment schedules and surgical approaches should be determined according to the cytology reports and frozen-section examinations before and during operation.

The ectopic accessory parotid system: A new patient, studied through magnetic resonance imaging.

The ectopic accessory parotid system (EAPS) connotes an extra parotid tissue with its ductal outlet that is morphologically distinct from the main parotid gland and its drainage system. Clinically presenting as a saliva-draining cheek fistula near the oral commissure, this rare congenital anomaly is almost always associated with ipsilateral preauricular appendages and occasional mandibular hypoplasia, and is considered a variant of the oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum. This report discusses the embryology, clinical details, and management aspects in a new patient, highlighting the role of magnetic resonance imaging in, for the first time, tracking the ectopic salivary system, and establishing its independent existence.

The ectopic accessory parotid system with congenital cheek fistula: An overview and current update.

OBJECTIVE: This review attempts to provide a comprehensive, updated overview of the ectopic accessory parotid system (EAPS) from clinical and developmental perspectives and investigates its eligibility to be included in the oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS). REVIEW METHODS: Results of the keyword-based search in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, LILACS, and Cochrane Library were subjected to the given inclusion and exclusion criteria that corroborated with the definition of EAPS. Eleven records were shortlisted, their full texts studied and references cross-checked. Finally, 10 articles collectively describing 16 patients were considered for review. RESULTS: The average age of presentation was 8.33 years, with 44% of the patients aged below 5 years. Boys were affected 1.67 times more. The cheek fistula was always unilateral, with marginal left predilection. About 94% of the patients were of East Asian descent, chiefly from China and India. Thirteen children had preauricular appendages, mostly ipsilateral, with occasional ipsilateral mandibular hypoplasia (25%). The ectopic parotid was anterolateral to the masseter, lateral to buccinator, and inferior to the Stensen duct. Complete surgical removal of the EAPS (intraoral approach) or transposing the fistula into the oral cavity formed the mainstay of treatment. CONCLUSION: The EAPS is a rare craniofacial anomaly presenting with a saliva-draining cheek fistula, associated with ipsilateral preauricular appendages (microtia) and occasional mandibular hypoplasia. Speculative developmental theories suggest dysmorphogenesis of the first two pharyngeal arches, clinically and embryologically relating it with OAVS. This review summarizes the clinical aspects, and establishes isolated EAPS as a mild but discrete phenotype of OAVS irrespective of the presence of other congenital stigmata. Laryngoscope, 127:1351-1360, 2017.

Parotidectomy for Parotid Cancer.

Parotidectomy for parotid cancer includes management of primary salivary cancer, metastatic cancer to lymph nodes, and direct extension from surrounding structures or cutaneous malignancies. Preoperative evaluation should provide surgeons with enough information to plan a sound operation and adequately counsel patients. Facial nerve sacrifice is sometimes required; but in preoperative functioning nerves, function should be preserved. Although nerve involvement predicts poor outcome, survival of around 50% has been reported for primary parotid malignancy. Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is a high-grade aggressive histology whereby local control for palliation with extended parotidectomy can be achieved; however, overall survival remains poor.

Endoscope-assisted transoral accessory parotid mass excision.

BACKGROUND: Accessory parotid gland tissue is salivary tissue adjacent to Stensen's duct that is distinctly separate from the main body of the parotid gland. Surgical removal of an accessory parotid mass is usually accomplished through an external neck incision. However, this procedure inevitably results in a neck scar. METHODS: We report the case of a 55-year-old man with an accessory parotid mass. We applied a modified approach to accessory parotid mass removal through the mouth with an endoscope system. RESULTS: The patient, who was diagnosed with a benign pleomorphic adenoma, underwent endoscope-assisted transoral accessory parotid mass excision. The follow-up time was 6 months. The patient experienced no serious postoperative complications or recurrence. CONCLUSION: Resection of an accessory parotid mass can be performed via an endoscope-assisted transoral approach. In this study, we describe the procedure of the endoscope-assisted transoral resection.