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Review
. 2014 Aug 1:2014:bcr-2013-202776.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-202776.

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Ramaraju Devaraju  1 , Ramlal Gantala  1 , Harisha Aitha  1 , Srikanth Goud Gotoor  1
Affiliations
Review

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Ramaraju Devaraju et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Salivary gland tumours comprise almost 5% of head and neck malignancies. Minor salivary gland tumours account for 10-15% of all salivary gland neoplasms and are usually malignant. The second most common minor salivary gland tumour (12-40% globally) is mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is more frequent in females, occurs in the fifth decade of life and is usually found in the parotid gland. However, the palate is a frequent site when it occurs in the minor glands. We report a case of a high-grade variant of mucoepidermoid carcinoma in the right retromolar trigone of a 21-year man which was treated with wide excision of the tumour with a 1.5 cm margin. Reconstruction was done with a buccal fat pad posteriorly with a pedicled lateral tongue flap. Temporal stripping and right coronoidectomy was carried out in case of post-surgical wound contraction. The patient is currently under periodic review.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Clinical photograph showing a solitary erythematous swelling in the right retromolar area.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Orthopantomograph revealing permanent dentition without any osseous invasion of the tumour.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Mandibular axial CT revealing a soft tissue expansile mass in the right retromolar area.
Figure 4
Figure 4
High-powered microscopic view showing epidermal cells with very few mucous cells and minimal cystic changes suggestive of mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Intra-operative photograph showing a wide surgical excision around the tumour.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Excised tumour.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Presurgical markings before elevation of a pedicled lateral tongue flap.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Surgical session showing the dissected flap.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Photograph showing post-temporal stripping and right coronoidectomy.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Graft in position.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Follow-up after 3 months.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Symptom-free graft recipient site with normal healing.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Post-operative orthopantomograph revealing right coronoidectomy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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