ABSTRACT

Multiple parotid gland tumors are unusual. Warthin’s tumor is the most represented neoplasm in this condition. We present a case of bilateral synchronous pleomorphic adenoma affecting the parotid glands in a 28-year-old woman. Clinically, the lesions were similar to solitary pleomorphic adenoma. Both lesions were diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology. A total parotidectomy for left tumor and surgical enucleation for the right tumor, respectively, were performed with no facial nerves injury. A review of the pertinent literature is included.

Keywords:Multiple Parotid Gland Tumors, Pleomorphic Adenoma, Synchronous, Total Parotidectomy

1. Introduction

Salivary gland tumors represent approximately 3% of all head and neck tumors. About 70% - 80% of these neoplasms occur in parotid gland [1] ; clinical presentation usually includes an unilateral, growing nodule associated with different symptoms depending on the tumor type. Multiple parotid gland tumors (MPGT) are unusual; they amount approximately to 3.4% of all parotid gland tumors [2] . In 1996, Seifert and Donath reviewed the nomenclature of the multiple salivary gland tumors, differentiating three groups: the bilateral tumors, the unilateral multifocal ones and the combination of bilateral tumors with unilateral multifocal tumors [3] . Another parameter to consider is the chronology of diagnosis; they may occur synchronously or metachronously, excluding postoperative recurrent neoplasms and metastatic lesions from other primary malignant tumors. MPGT occur in life later than solitary tumors (average 61 - 68 years) [4] , and are more common in men than in women (5.9:1) [2] . Turnbull and Frazell indicated that MPGT can arise after the radiotherapy of benign lesions. They also reported that 79.2% of bilateral parotid tumors (BPT) are represented by Warthin’s tumors whereas pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the second most common BPT [5] . We report a case of a young woman with synchronous bilateral pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland.

2. Case Report

In March 2011, a 28-year-old caucasian woman was admitted to our ENT department, at the University Federico II of Naples (Italy), with one-year history of a painless nodules in both pre-auricular areas, that had slowly enlarged. Physical examination revealed a solid mass at the left parotid gland larger than the right parotid one, both well defined, hard-elastic, with no fixation to the adjacent anatomic structures. There weren’t facial nerves palsy or cervical lymphadenopathies.

The patient underwent to fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of the parotid glands lesions, that showed round and oval cells with regular nucleus and no malignant elements, suggestive for pleomorphic adenoma. A magnetic resonance scan showed a nodule, measuring at the largest diameters 1.0 × 1.0 × 1.6 cm, arising the deep lobe of the right parotid gland, and a mass measuring 2.3 × 1.9 × 2.0 cm originating from the deep lobe of the left parotid gland. Both lesions appeared iso-hypointense on T1-weighted images (Figure 1A); on T2- weighted images the right parotid gland nodule showed marked high signal intensity whereas the left parotid gland mass appeared unevenly hyperintense (Figure 1B; Figure 2). After intravenous gadolinium injection,

the right parotid gland nodule showed peripheral enhancement while the left parotid gland mass showed inhomogeneous contrast enhancement (Figure 3); in both cases no evidence of invasion of adjacent soft tissues or local lymph nodes enlargement were observed.

Two-time surgery was indicated to avoid bilateral facial nerve palsy. In May 2011, the left tumor was excised by total parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation under general anesthesia. Six months later no recurrence or facial palsy of the left side were observed. In February 2012, surgical enucleation of the right tumor was performed preserving the fibrous capsule integrity with no facial injury. We chose this approach in relation to the early age of our patient and the small size of the right lesion. Histopathology exam confirmed the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma in both specimens (Figure 4). One year after the second surgery, no recurrence was observed in both parotid areas and no neural dysfunction was reported.

3. Discussion

According to the literature, MPGT is an unusual condition, usually described in large studies. In 1969, Turnbull and Frazell reported 32 cases on 1837 patients [5] and in 2004 Yu et al. reported 69 cases on 2055 patients in 40 years [2] . In these studies, it is possible to disclose 55 cases of BPT and only 7 are pleomorphic adenoma.

Classification of MPGT is controversial. In 1996, Seifert and Donath reviewed the nomenclature of these tumors with regard to their localization, classifying them as: bilateral parotid tumours, unilateral multifocal parotid tumours and the combination of bilateral parotid tumours with unilateral multifocal parotid tumours [3] . As regard the chronology, classification is not clear; some authors indicate an interval of 6 months or more from the diagnosis of the first tumor, to define a second tumor as metachronous [6] . However, this parmeter presents some problems related to the diagnosis because the identification of a lesion depends on dimensions and localization of the tumor (superficial or deep lobe of the gland), and on presence or not of symptoms. For example, early tumors, with no symptoms, located in the salivary gland deep lobe can go unnoticed.

Yu et al. [2] reported that synchronous lesions affect men almost 6 times more frequently than women.

Tumors with bilateral involvement present with high frequence an histopathology exam that show a Warthin’s tumour (79.2% to 92.5% of cases) [5] , the second neoplasm more represented is pleomorphic adenoma, representing approximately 6% of the tumors [1] .

Irradiation of head and neck is the most presumable causative factor associated with the development of two pleomorphic adenomas in the parotid gland [7] . In 1983, it was reported an increased incidence of salivary gland tumors after the atomic bomb explosions in Japan and the exposure effects were indicated to be both cumulative and dose dependent [8] .

It has been reported that synchronous or metachronous multifocal Warthin’s tumors amount 5% - 20% of all Warthin’s tumors [9] . In these cases, it could be recommended to use ultrasonography as a screening exam to disclose a tumor of the controlateral gland. Yu et al. used this exam as a screening tool for MPGT, to choice surgical approach and during the postoperative follow-up [2] . Ultrasonography can help to perform FNAC of these lesions; this evaluation is essential to exclude a malignancy that could affect the surgical approach to these patients [10] . We did not perform ultrasonography because the lesions were easy to detect and to biopsy. Anyway cross-sectional imaging modalities such as CT (Computed Tomography) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) are recommended to detect small lesions and evaluate lymph nodes status, tumor extension and his relationships with neighbouring structures [11] . At CT imaging pleomorphic adenoma can appear as smooth margins tumor, a small spherical tumor or as a lobulated large tumor with inhomogeneous pattern of contrast enhancement in the majority of cases; however the role of CT in assessment of salivary gland tumors is limited except for the evaluation of cortical mandibular involvement and the detection of salivary gland stones. At MR imaging pleomorphic adenoma typically shows an intermediate-low signal on T1-weighted images and a high signal, usually inhomogeneous, on T2-weighted images with inhomogeneous enhancement on contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images; some lesions can also be detected as cystic-appearing nodules with peripheral enhancement. T2 hypointensity of a parotid tumor has been reported as an indicator for malignancy [12] . MR imaging is superior to CT to estimate tumor characteristics and extension, particularly perineural spread [11] .

The prevailing treatment for MPGT is the surgical approach similarly to that indicated for solitary tumors; according to the literature we performed a total parotidectomy on the left side and a tumor enucleation on the right side with identification, dissection and preservation of facial nerve branches on both sides. During the surgery care should be taken in order to prevent that tumoral cell islands might be lost on surgical excision margin [13] [14] ; for this reason if the tumor is a PA, such as in this case, surgery must preserve the fibrous capsule integrity. Using this surgical approach, no recurrence has been documented in the literature up to now. In case of FNAC or histopathology exam positive for high-grade malignancies, postoperative radiotherapy is usually recommended.

4. Conclusion

Bilateral tumors of the parotid gland are not an usual condition, in particular pleomorphic adenoma amounts approximately to 6% of the BPT. A diagnosis of Warthin’s tumor should always be suspected. Our clinical experience shows that a right preoperative assessment and a surgical treatment based on histology are advisable for a proper management. If these conditions are respected, risk of recurrence or facial nerve injury is very low.

References