ADENOMATOID HYPERPLASIA OF THE MINOR SALIVARY GLANDS: CASE REPORT

Adenomatoid hyperplasia (AH) is a rare nonneoplastic enlargement of minor salivary glands with unknown etiology. The present report describes a case of 57-year-old male patient who presented with complaint of swelling at his right side of posterior hard palate with painful symptomatology. Clinically, the lesion was a nodule covered by healthy mucosa and was of soft consistency. Radiographic examination did not demonstrate any bone involvement. An excisional biopsy was performed, and the specimen sent for microscopic analysis. Histopathologic examination revealed epithelial covering of orthokeratinized stratified squamous type. In the submucosal layer, there were minor salivary gland parenchyma exhibiting hyperplasic, ductal ectasia, and discrete acinar atrophy. The diagnosis was compatible with AH. The patient is under follow-up with no sign of recurrence after 6 months. We emphasize the importance of the correct diagnosis because clinically this lesion can be confused with benign or malignant salivary gland tumors.