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cyst of salivary gland
Monday 18 March 2013
Cysts of salivary gland
Definition: Cysts of salivary gland origin may be congenital or acquired. Most true cysts are located within the parotid gland.
Congenital cysts
Congenital cysts like the first arch branchial cleft cysts comprise an uncommon form of branchial cleft anomaly.
Type 1 cysts are of ectodermal origin and involve the first arch only. They represent a duplication anomaly of the membranous portion of the external auditory canal.
Type 2 cysts are of ectodermal and mesodermal origin and involve both the first and second arches. They represent a duplication anomaly of both the membranous and cartilaginous portions of the external auditory canal.
Recurrent infection of these lesions may obscure their boundaries, but all are known to lie in close proximity to the facial nerve and require great care during their excision.
Dermoid cysts are another form of congenital cyst consisting of keratinizing squamous epithelium and skin appendages which require complete excision.
Acquired cysts
Acquired cysts may result from sialadenitis, sialolithiasis, ductal obstruction, trauma, BLL, or neoplasm.
These typically require no treatment unless symptomatic or if they occur in association with a neoplastic process.
See also