[Necrotizing sialometaplasia. Report of a case]

Necrotizing sialometaplasia is a benign lesion of the minor and major salivary glands. It occurs with a palatal swelling which rapidly becomes a deep ulcer. Histopathological aspects include ulceration of the surface epithelium, squamous metaplasia and acinar necrosis. In general no treatment is necessary and the lesion heals spontaneously in 4-10 weeks. This condition must be distinguished from more serious diseases such as squamous cell carcinoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma.