Multiple, synchronous, unilateral parotid adenomas: a case series

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Oncology
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• Major salivary gland tumours are typically solitary and unilateral, most commonly affecting the parotid gland.
• Multifocal tumours of the same histological type within a single gland are uncommon, and mixed-type tumours are rare.
• Extracapsular dissection is a recognized surgical technique for benign parotid tumours, offering low morbidity and recurrence rates when cases are carefully selected preoperatively.

Observation:

• A consecutive series of 70 extracapsular dissections for parotid gland tumours was performed by a single surgeon over five years.
• The study specifically aimed to identify the incidence of synchronous, multifocal tumours within the parotid gland.

Findings:

• A 4% incidence (3 out of 70 cases) of synchronous, unilateral, multiple adenomas of the parotid gland was observed.
• This finding highlights a specific, albeit uncommon, presentation of parotid gland tumours.

Implications:

• The results underscore the importance of thorough preoperative assessment to identify potential multifocal disease, even in cases considered for standard extracapsular dissection.
• While extracapsular dissection remains effective, the incidence of multifocal adenomas suggests a need for vigilance in surgical planning and patient selection.
• Further research could explore optimal diagnostic strategies and surgical management for multifocal parotid gland tumours.