Surgical Outcome of Extracapsular Dissection of Benign Parotid Gland Tumor: A Comparative Study to Superficial Parotidectomy

Background/Objectives: Extracapsular dissection has the advantage of reducing complications by minimizing tissue loss of the parotid without intentionally exposing the facial nerve in patients with benign parotid tumor. However, there has been controversy over the surgical results. Thus, the surgical outcomes of extracapsular dissection for benign parotid tumor was compared to those of superficial parotidectomy.Materials & Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted with 132 patients who received surgery for benign parotid tumor in our center from January 2014 to December 2018 retrospectively.Results: A total of 132 people were enrolled, with 62 people receiving extracapsular dissection, 38 people receiving partial superficial parotidectomy and 32 people receiving superficial parotidectomy. No significant difference was found between the three groups regarding complications such as facial nerve palsy, Frey's syndrome, or first bite syndrome. Operation time and hospital stay was significantly short in extracapsular dissection group.Conclusion: For well-selected cases, extracapsular dissection can be considered as an option for surgery of benign parotid tumor.

Cervical Sympathetic Trunk-Centered Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor Complicated with Postoperative First Bite Syndrome

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) in the head and neck region are common, but those with sympathetic trunk involvement are extremely rare. Here we present a case of cervical sympathetic trunk-centered IMT which is also accompanied by ipsilateral carotid artery, internal jugular vein, and vagus nerve involvement. The patient initially complained of an episodic painful swelling on the right side of the neck and underwent surgery. Preoperative and postoperative serum IgG4 level during 3-year follow-up time is within normal limits. Immunohistochemical study of the tumor has also revealed negativity to IgG4. Postoperative first bite syndrome (FBS) was observed. Surgery seems to be first-line therapy in the patient with IgG4-negative IMT.

Clinical and Pain-Related Characteristics of Idiopathic First Bite Syndrome Induced by Taste in Japanese Patients without Diabetes: A Retrospective Study of Five Cases

Objective. First bite syndrome (FBS) is a condition in which the first bite of each meal causes parotid pain. Etiologies of FBS include prior surgery of the upper cervical region and, rarely, head and neck tumors. Idiopathic FBS rarely presents in patients without a history of surgery or evidence of an underlying tumor. Idiopathic FBS may be categorized into two subtypes: that in patients with diabetes and that in patients without diabetes. Idiopathic FBS in patients without diabetes may be overlooked or misdiagnosed because the condition has been described only in a few case reports. We aimed to identify the clinical and pain-related characteristics of idiopathic FBS in patients without diabetes. Methods. We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of five patients without diabetes who were diagnosed with idiopathic FBS in our department between January 2010 and December 2016. Results. Four of the five patients were female, and the overall median age was 52 years (range: 13–61). All patients immediately experienced parotid pain upon tasting food without chewing. Addition of an acidic solution to the ipsilateral posterior third of the tongue evoked parotid pain. The median degree of pain intensity and interference with eating due to pain was 9 (range: 3–10) and 9 (range: 5–10) on a numerical rating scale of 0–10, respectively. Idiopathic FBS was bilateral in two patients. Two patients had tenderness on mild pressure over the affected parotid region. Two patients presented with ipsilateral idiopathic Horner’s syndrome. Conclusions. Our findings indicate that the characteristics of idiopathic FBS in patients without diabetes are largely consistent with those previously reported in postoperative FBS, supporting the notion that idiopathic FBS is a subtype of FBS. Thus, it is necessary to consider idiopathic FBS during the evaluation of facial pain triggered at the beginning of a meal.