CT findings of necrotizing sialometaplasia

An otherwise healthy 56-year-old Caucasian female was referred to the radiology department because of an ulceration of her palatal mucosa. Clinically the lesion was suspected to be malignant and a multislice CT examination of the head and neck region was performed. This revealed an ulcer-like cavity with no tumour-like contrast enhancement. No relevant bone changes or suspicious lymph nodes of the neck were detected. Based on the multislice CT findings, necrotizing sialometaplasia was suspected and the diagnosis was verified histopathologically. This report describes the CT findings of necrotizing sialometaplasia at the ulceration stage.