Surgical Management of the Palatal Pleomorphic Adenoma.

INTRODUCTION

Surgical excision is the basic treatment option of the palatal pleomorphic adenoma (PA), it is generally accepted to prevent for recurrence. The purpose of this study was to determine the decision criteria for the management of the palatal PA through evaluating the postoperative results of palatal PA correlation with the clinical appearance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All of patients were evaluated the mucosal ulceration, palatal erosion, and size with CT images in all 18 palatal PAs. The clinical features, surgical methods, and surgical results of these 18 PAs were reviewed.

RESULTS

The most common age was 51 to 70 years. One patient was in pediatric age (14 years). Females were involved more commonly than males (F:M ratio was 5:1) Mucosa was normal in 16 patients. Ulcerations of the overlying mucosa were seen in 2 cases. On the coronal CT images, hard palate was erosion in 14 patients who had involved hard palate. The size of tumors was from 7 mm to 33 mm in CT scans. Two patients were ruptured the tumor during the operation, and 1 out of 2 patients was recurred.

CONCLUSIONS

For the definitive diagnosis is necessary to perform the preoperative core biopsy for the histopathological examination, and CT is necessary for evaluating the erosion of the hard palate and severity of the erosion. Hard palatal PA can be managed by surgical enucleation and removal of the periosteum or involved bone. Soft palatal PA can be managed by surgical enucleation without mucosal resection. Rupture of the tumor is related to the recurrence.