Cause
- Locally destructive inflammatory condition of the salivary glands
- Result of ischemia of the salivary tissue that leads to local infarction
- Predisposing factors that may compromise blood supply to the involved gland include: traumatic injuries, dental infections, ill-fitting dentures, upper respiratory infections, adjacent tumors, previous surgery
Incidence
- More common in adults, mean age 46
- Male > female
Location
- 75% occur in posterior palate (hard palate > soft palate)
Clinical Presentation
- Initially nonulcerated swelling often associated with pain and paresthesia
- Within 2 weeks, necrotic tissue sloughs, leaving a craterlike ulcer
Compare to
- Mimics malignant disease; subacute necrotizing sialadenitis
Treatment
- Biopsy to confirm diagnosis
- Heals spontaneously within 5 to 6 weeks
