An evidence based approach to the management of salivary masses.

BACKGROUND

Salivary lumps are common and constitute 13.8% of all lumps assessed at the North Glasgow neck lump clinic. We present our management plan for these conditions.

METHOD: Literature search using key words salivary lumps or glands or cancer or sialadenitis or sialalisthiasis in combination with diagnosis, management, investigation, treatment, intervention and surgery was performed in June 2009 using MEDLINE and Pubmed. Data from the North Glasgow neck lump clinic database are also presented.

RESULTS

Published literature on management of salivary lumps is level 2/3 evidence.

CONCLUSION

The majority of salivary gland swellings can be adequately assessed with ultrasound and ultrasound guided FNA. The majority of patients with salivary gland tumours are likely to benefit from surgical excision. Due to the higher risk of malignancy in submandibular gland tumours surgical excision should be undertaken, unless there is significant co-morbidity.