Metastasis of adenoid cystic carcinoma from a submandibular gland to the larynx

The present article discusses the first reported case of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) metastasis from a submandibular gland to the larynx. Both treatments of distant metastasis of ACC and secondary laryngeal tumor are challenging. Despite its slow progression, ACC is associated with high rates of local recurrence, distant metastasis, and poor prognosis. Patients with secondary laryngeal cancer often have other concurrent metastatic lesions. Therefore, treatment selection should consider the biological behavior of the tumor and characteristics of the laryngeal lesion, along with the general condition and quality of life of the patient. The patient (55-year-old female) had a history of ACC of the right submandibular gland, removed surgically 9 years prior to the present consultation. Follow-up showed multiple pulmonary metastases. The patient complained of dysphonia lasting 3 months. Following the diagnosis of ACC metastasis to the larynx (supraglottic) and a neck lymph node via biopsy, we performed partial laryngectomy, left neck dissection, and tracheotomy. Histopathological examination showed an increase in the tumor grade over time. Two months after discharge, there was no obvious local recurrence or increase in lung metastasis.     

Tumors of the submandibular gland

Primary neoplasms of the submandibular gland do not hold a statistically impressive position when compared to other tumors in the head and neck. Due in part to their relative rarity, incorrect preoperative diagnosis is not uncommon, but perhaps of more significance is the lack of an adequately prepared management program of these lesions. This presentation reviews tumors of the submandibular gland at the Charity Hospital in New Orleans, La., for the 24-year period 1948-1971.     

Endoscopic resection of the submandibular gland in a porcine model

OBJECTIVE: To examine the feasibility of endoscopic resection of the submandibular gland in a porcine model. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental, nonrandomized prospective study. METHODS: Twelve endoscopic submandibular gland resections were performed on seven Yorkshire adult pigs using a combination of balloon dissection and low-pressure CO2 insufflation. The operative time, blood loss, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, temperature, arterial blood gas values, and weight of the glands were measured. RESULTS: All 12 submandibular gland resections were successfully performed endoscopically, and no conversions to open resection were necessary. The procedures lasted 42 to 140 minutes (median duration, 59 min). The median estimated blood loss was 15 mL. The submandibular glands weighed 13.3 +/- 1.5 g. The arterial blood pH varied from a decrease of 0.08 to an increase of 0.09 units from the beginning to the end of the operation. Similarly, the arterial CO2 pressure at the end of the case varied from a decrease of 15.8 to an increase of 16.2 mm Hg from the starting value. The presence of normal glandular architecture and lack of trauma or thermal injury were confirmed histologically. There were no cases of pneumothorax or air embolism, and no animals had to be killed. In one animal, a modest amount of subcutaneous emphysema could be appreciated, which was confined to the area over the operative pocket. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic resection of the submandibular gland is possible by combining balloon dissection with low-pressure CO2 insufflation, thereby avoiding complications of high-pressure insufflation such as pneumothorax and air embolism.     

Over-expression of c-kit in a primary leiomyosarcoma of the thyroid gland

Primary leiomyosarcoma of the thyroid gland is rare. In this paper, we report a case of high-grade leiomyosarcoma of the thyroid gland in a 43-year-old man. Lung metastasis was also noted in this patient. Despite of aggressive surgical treatment, the patient died of uncontrolled local recurrent disease 6 months after the initial operation. Immunohistochemical studies showed the tumor cells were positive for c-kit proto-oncogene product. Imatinib mesylate was used as a post-operative adjuvant treatment but the response was poor. The role of tyrosine kinase inhibitors on the treatment of thyroid leiomyosarcomas is still unclear because this is the first report of c-kit over-expression in such tumors. Nevertheless, our results show that c-kit over-expression might not be an indicator of good response to imatinib mesylate treatment in thyroid leiomyosarcomas.     

Metachronous bilateral submandibular gland metastases from carcinoma of the breast

Metastases to the salivary glands from distant neoplasms are unusual, with most reported cases involving the parotid gland. Metastatic deposits in the submandibular gland are extremely rare with bilateral involvement not previously reported. We present the case of a patient with advanced breast carcinoma who has had metachronous involvement of both submandibular glands and review the literature on this subject.     

Removal of the submandibular gland by a retroauricular approach

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefit of a retroauricular approach by comparing it with a conventional transcervical approach for removal of the submandibular gland. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: Academic center. PATIENTS: Thirty patients with benign submandibular gland disorders. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were divided into 2 surgical groups to undergo retroauricular (n = 15) and conventional (n = 15) procedures matched by age, sex, marital status, and pathologic condition. The retroauricular approach used an incision along the postauricular sulcus and hairline and subcutaneous tunneling to the gland; the conventional approach used an incision along a natural skin crease overlying the gland. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The operation time, complications, hospital stay, and subjective satisfaction of incision scar checked by visual analog scale were compared between groups. RESULTS: The submandibular gland disorders were comparable between groups: pleomorphic adenoma (n = 15), chronic sialadenitis with sialolithiasis in the gland (n = 5) or hilum (n = 8), and Küttner (n = 1) or Kimura (n = 1) disease. Mean +/- SD operation times were 49 +/- 17 minutes in the retroauricular group and 38 +/- 15 minutes in the controls (P = .08). Mean +/- SD hospital stay and complication rates were comparable between groups. The mean +/- SD score of patient satisfaction was 8.9 +/- 0.9 in the retroauricular group and 4.2 +/- 2.9 in the conventional group (P<.001). The incision scar was commonly less visible in the retroauricular group because of hiding by the auricle and natural hair when comparing with the control group. CONCLUSION: The retroauricular approach can provide better cosmetic outcome than the conventional transcervical approach and without significant complications.     

Endoscope-assisted submandibular sialadenectomy: a new minimally invasive approach to the submandibular gland

PURPOSE: Although submandibular sialadenectomy with a minimal incision improves overall cosmetic outcomes, visualization of the surgical field exposure is relatively limited as compared with that in the conventional procedure. To overcome this limitation, we applied the endoscope system to submandibular sialadenectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility and potential role of our endoscope-assisted submandibular sialadenectomy (EASS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed EASS on 5 patients, 3 of whom had intraparenchymal sialolithiasis and 2 of whom had pleomorphic adenomas. The dissection was carried out by bipolar dissection with a 4-mm nasal endoscope system. RESULTS: The procedure achieved successful results for all 5 patients except for 1 who had severe adhesion to the adjacent tissues; this patient suffered from postoperative lingual nerve paresthesia. All the patients achieved good cosmetic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: An EASS with bipolar dissection is technically feasible and secures a better surgical view through a minimal incision. However, for patients with severe adhesion to the adjacent tissues, conversion to the wide-open procedure would be safer.     

Tuberculosis of the submandibular gland: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis remains an important public health problem in France. After a certain decline, its incidence has remained unchanged since 1990. 30% of tuberculosis cases are extra-pulmonary form, most of them concern nodes especially in cervical areas. CASE REPORT: This case of submandibular tuberculosis illustrates diagnostic and therapeutic difficulties. DISCUSSION: There are few clinical signs or laboratory clues suggestive of tuberculosis, however a surgery cannot be avoided and must be performed in combination with antituberculosis chemotherapy.     

Unilateral aplasia of the submandibular gland

The congenital absence of major salivary glands is an extremely rare disorder. In this case, we report a 32-year-old woman who came to us with right submandibular gland aplasia, which was detected incidentally. The literature on this rare occurrence is reviewed and the significance of the patient is discussed.     

Intraductal papilloma of the submandibular gland

Salivary tissue intraductal papillomas are rare, benign tumours that predominantly affect minor salivary glands. We report a case of an intraductal papilloma arising in the unusual site of the submandibular gland. The tumour was completely excised and recurrence is not expected. A brief review of this histologically distinct lesion is presented.     

Plexiform neurofibroma of the submandibular gland

A rare plexiform neurofibroma of the submandibular gland in a patient with neurofibromatosis is presented. The clinical manifestations of the disease are reviewed. The need for early diagnosis of neurofibroma is emphasized because of malignant transformation.     

A mucocele of the submandibular gland

We encountered an unusual case of a mucocele arising from the submandibular gland. Among the limited number of cystic salivary gland neoplasms reported in the literature, there have been no reports, to our knowledge, of a similar cystic lesion. The unique characteristics of this mass permitted definitive diagnosis by computed tomographic scanning.     

Parasympathetic schwannoma of the submandibular gland

Schwannomas of the submandibular gland have only been documented sporadically throughout the medical literature. We describe a case of schwannoma of the submandibular gland originating from the submandibular branch of the lingual nerve, which carries the preganglionic parasympathetic nerve fibers. The clinical aspect of this tumor is discussed, followed by a brief literature review.     

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the submandibular gland

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EH) is a seldom tumor of vascular origin, which occurs at sites such as liver, lung or soft tissues, and has a highly unpredictable malignant potential and clinical course. We submitted a case with epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of submandibular gland. The patient was a 44-year-old woman who presented with left submandibular painly mass. Fine needle aspiration showed a mixed lymphoid population. Contrast enhanced Computerize Tomography (CT) scan revealed that to be a well-circumscribed and including microcalcification in centre 2.5 cm x 2.0 cm mass in diameter without evidence of bony invasion. Submandibular gland was excised. The pathological result was interpretated as epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the submandibular gland. The patient was seen regularly for recurrence.