Subacute necrotizing sialadenitis: 3 new cases with review of literature

The main objective of this poster is to inform clinical dentists regarding subacute necrotizing sialadenitis (SAN). It was first described in 1985 as an unusual inflammatory condition affecting minor salivary glands primarily seen in the palate. It has also shown to present in the buccal mucosa, upper lip, and ventral tongue. SANs present as a symptomatic mass of few days duration, resolving in a week in contrast to necrotizing sialometaplasia which presents with ulceration and takes about 3 weeks to heal. Though there is no consensus regarding the etiology of SAN, all cases resolve without therapy. On searching UNMC College of Dentistry oral pathology service for cases of SANs from 1990 to 2021 (31 years) three cases were found. The age ranged from 16 to 77 years and presented in two males and a female. Two cases were from the palate while one case was from the upper lip. All cases presented with painful palpable masses with no ulceration. Two cases of the palate had a clinical diagnosis of lipoma and adenoma, while the case from the upper lip was called a fibroma. All cases microscopically presented with focal acinar degeneration with a mixed inflammatory infiltrate. No metaplasia of the ductal epithelium was noted. In conclusion, if an erythematous, painful, nonulcerated, palpable palatal mass is noted clinicians should consider SAN in the differential diagnosis.