Clinical presentation and management of parotid gland tumors – A retrospective study in Northwestern Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Parotid gland tumors are the most common major salivary gland tumors occurring in humans. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the pattern of clinical presentation and management of parotid gland tumors in Northwestern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study sociodemographics, nature of the lesion, fine-needle aspiration cytology result, surgical procedure, and complications of patients with parotid gland tumors were recorded and analyzed using SPSS version 25. Results: There were 31 (45.6%) males and 37 (54.4%) females in the age range of 17–72 years with a mean ± standard deviation of 49.03 ± 15.61 years. Benign tumors constitute the majority 50 (73.5%), with pleomorphic adenoma being the most common 46 (67.6%), whereas malignant tumors were 18 (26.5%), with adenoid cystic carcinoma being the most common 6 (8.8%). Superficial parotidectomy was the highest surgical procedure performed in 42 (70.6%) patients. Selective neck dissection was done in 5 (27.8%) cases and soft tissue reconstruction with deltopectoral flaps in 3 (16.7%) of the malignant cases. Transient facial nerve paralysis was seen in 14 (29.2%) and 8 (47.1%) of patients who had superficial and total parotidectomies, respectively. Permanent facial nerve paralysis was seen in all 5 (27.8%) patients who had radical parotidectomy. Conclusion: Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common parotid gland tumor, and superficial parotidectomy was the major surgical procedure performed. Facial nerve paralysis is an inevitable complication but can be minimized with meticulous surgical maneuver.