[Adipocytic tumors of the salivary glands: A retrospective study]

Adipocytic tumors are the most common soft tissue mesenchymal tumors. Their occurrence in salivary glands is rare. We studied the epidemiology, the diagnostic and the therapeutic features of the salivary adipocytic tumors followed in our department.

A retrospective study was conducted in our department between January 1997 and December 2011. Nine cases of adipocytic tumors of the salivary glands were found. Data were collected from medical records and processed by Excel.

Mean age was 44 with a clear predominance of males (sex ratio: 3.5). In 8 cases the tumors were benign (7 lipomas and 1 lipofibroma). The only malignant tumor was a metastatic myxoid liposarcoma. Parotid was the main location (8 cases/9). Ultrasonography and MRI were prescribed. The treatment was tumor and parotid gland removal with conservation of the facial nerve excepted in the malignant case. One transient facial palsy, two earlobe dysesthesia and one retromandibular depression were observed. No recurrence was noted.

Our study confirmed the epidemiological profile of these adipocytic salivary gland tumors, which are rarely observed, but mainly in the parotid gland. They are often benign and lipoma is the main histological type.