Recurrent Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Head and Neck: Imaging Findings

Abstract

We reviewed the clinical and imaging files of 15 pathologically confirmed recurrent pleomorphic adenomas of the head and neck. Recurrence was generally late with an average interval between the initial surgery and recurrences of 14.9 years. Multiple recurrent tumors were found in eight of the 15 patients with tumor size 5 to 50 mm. In all palatal cases recurrence was solitary. Most recurrent tumors were well delineated with smooth margins. Margin irregularity was seen in four of the 15 patients. In four of the five palate cases and in the orbital case, recurrent tumors caused bone destruction. Some recurrent tumors may mimic malignant lesions based on bone destruction or margin irregularity. Recurrent pleomorphic adenomas in the palate may tend to develop a large solitary mass with bone destruction. Irregular-margined recurrences are rather small among multiple recurrent nodules.