Parotid gland tumors in children - pre- and postoperative diagnostic difficulties

Major salivary gland tumors are very rare in the developmental period. Confirming tumor changes in the salivary gland requires precise diagnostic imaging involving an ultrasonography scan, computed tomography and magnetic resonance. Needle aspiration biopsy (NAB) of the tumor is of high importance. Excision is the basic treatment method in cases of parotid gland tumor. The statistical data concerning tumors favor less invasive methods, which seems logical in the population of children. The surgical methods used in tumor treatment feature extracapsular excision of tumor, partial parotidectomy and total parotidectomy, sometimes followed by lymphatic node surgery. The clinical cases presented in the paper show difficulties with pre- and postoperative histopathological diagnosis in major salivary gland tumors in children. A core biopsy of the tumor may improve the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis but it does not exclude the possibility of misdiagnosis.