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Pediatric Parotid Gland Masses: A 10-Year Experience of Clinical Spectrum, Management, and Long-Term Outcomes
Jinyan Zu1, Fan Lou, Yingqin Gao
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, China.
Insights
Pediatric parotid gland masses are predominantly benign congenital lesions. Surgery is the primary treatment, with bleomycin injections effective for recurrent vascular lymphatic malformations, ensuring good long-term outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Otolaryngology
- Oncology
Background:
- Parotid gland masses in children present a diverse spectrum of conditions.
- Understanding their characteristics is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the spectrum, characteristics, treatment strategies, and long-term prognosis of pediatric parotid gland masses.
- To provide evidence for optimizing clinical management pathways.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 136 children undergoing surgery for parotid gland masses (2015-2024).
- Analysis of clinical presentations, imaging, pathology, and long-term follow-up (≥12 months).
Main Results:
- Congenital lesions (hemangiomas, lymphangiomas, fistulas) were most common (63.2%).
- Pleomorphic adenomas (15.4%) and lymphomas (6.6%) were also identified.
- Low rates of temporary facial nerve palsy (5.1%) and recurrence (7.4%) were observed, with no deaths.
Conclusions:
- Benign lesions dominate pediatric parotid gland masses.
- CT scans are vital for diagnosis and preoperative assessment.
- Surgery is the primary treatment; bleomycin injections offer effective adjunctive therapy for recurrent vascular lymphatic malformations.
Purpose:
This study aims to summarize the spectrum, characteristics, treatment strategies, and long-term prognosis of pediatric parotid gland masses.
Patients And Methods:
The authors retrospectively reviewed 136 children who underwent surgeries for parotid gland masses from January 2015 to December 2024. This review analyzed data regarding clinical presentations, imaging examinations, postoperative pathologic findings, and the results of long-term follow-up (≥12 mo).
Results:
Congenital lesions were the most common, accounting for 63.2% (86/136) of cases, and included hemangiomas, lymphangiomas, and first branchial cleft fistulas. Pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland represented 15.4% (21/136), while all malignant tumors identified were lymphomas, comprising 6.6% (9/136). During a median follow-up period of 38 months, the incidence of temporary facial nerve palsy following surgery was recorded at 5.1% (7/136), and the overall recurrence rate was 7.4% (10/136). A total of 119 patients achieved complete remission, with no deaths occurring during the study period.
Conclusion:
Benign lesions are the predominant type of parotid gland masses in children, and CT scans are vital for the diagnosis and preoperative assessment of these lesions. Surgery is the main treatment method. Long-term follow-up has shown that for vascular lymphatic malformations prone to recurrence, local injection of bleomycin is a safe and effective adjunctive therapy. This study provides empirical evidence for optimizing the clinical management pathway for this disease.
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