Alli Muthiah1, Ramachandran Kandasamy2, Anu Ramesh3, Niranjan Kumar Rajeswaran4
BACKGROUND
Swellings of the parotid gland are of special interest to a surgeon’s keen eye. These lesions are not only involved in diseases isolated to the parotid, but can also present as a part of a generalised systemic disorder, medical or surgical. For a surgeon, the interests lie in the probable origin of the swelling, its involvement of the facial nerve, the variability in behaviour, regarding the operability criteria and its postoperative complications.1 A comprehensive knowledge of the anatomy of the parotid and the prediction of the swelling behaviour can help not only in the diagnosis, but also in ensuring an apt management of the lesion and the patient.2
This cohort study was conducted to analyse the following in our institution. The incidence of various parotid swellings to discuss accuracy of FNAC in comparison to the histopathological reports. The various surgical modalities of treatment of parotid swellings applied.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The cohort study, which included 45 patients was conducted at Kilpauk Medical College Hospital and Government Royapettah Hospital from September 2010 to October 2012. Data was collected from the patients after obtaining an informed consent. The demographic details of the patients and history of their swelling was taken. The patients were examined and basic investigations performed. Details regarding the FNAC report, surgical and nonsurgical management were noted. Postoperative complications were documented. The final histopathological report was analysed and compared with the FNAC report.
RESULTS
Parotid lesions are commonest cases in our study. Benign tumours are more common than malignant lesions. This study found to correlate with world statistics. Investigations, clinical findings and treatment correlate well with world statistical records.
CONCLUSION
The analysis of the data of the study conducted at our institution provided us with the following results- Parotid lesions comprised of the most common salivary gland lesions in our hospital. The sex incidence showed a similar distribution among both males and females with the ratio being 1:1.25.3 The mean age of presentation was 49 years and it was seen that the 4th and 7th decades where the predominant age group for occurrence in case of benign and malignant tumours, respectively.4 These were found to be consistent with the comparison made with world statistics.5 In the case of malignant tumours, the sensitivity and specificity was found to be 87.5% and 100%, respectively.6 Completion parotidectomy was performed in 2 cases and both were malignant tumours with recurrence.7 Facial nerve palsy and seroma formation were the commonest complication noted postoperatively.8 Radiotherapy was the most common nonsurgical modality used and administered more commonly postoperatively.9
KEYWORDS
Parotid, Swelling, Study.
