Clinical, para-clinical features and the morphology of the facial nerve in parotid gland tumor patients indicated for surgery

Abstract

Background: Tumors of parotid gland are common of maxillofacial pathology. Parotid gland tumors show a high morphological heterogeneity and presents with diagnostic and surgical challenges. Therefore, investigation of clinical, para-clinical features of parotid gland tumor and the morphology of the facial nerve is very important for surgery and preventing the facial palsy. Objective: Evaluate clinical, para-clinical features and the morphology of the facial nerve in parotid salivary tumor patients indicated for surgery. Materials and Methods: 31 patients with parotid gland tumor who were examined at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy from May 2020 to March 2021 were recorded about clinical, paraclinical and the facial nerve branching patterns in surgical treatments of parotid tumors. Results: Male cases were in the majority (58.1%), the mean age of patients was 51.5 ± 12.5. Slow progressively swelling was the common presenting complaint. Majority of the tumor size in CT scanner were between 2 and 4 cm (61.3%) and in the superficial lobe (80.0%).All are benign tumors and Whartin tumor is the most common type (38.7%). In all 27 patients were exposed the VII nerve, the facial nerve consisted of one trunk separated into two divisions. In 12 patients with identified type of facial nerve branching, type IV (41.7%) were the most common type. Conclusion: Clinical and para-clinical were valuable for diagnosis. Facial nerve variations assessement can prevent the consequences of facial nerve injury after parotid surgery. Key words: parotid gland tumor, parotidectomy, facial nerve morphology.