Fibroinflammatory pseudotumor of the submandibular gland.

Abstract

Fibroinflammatory pseudotumors infrequently involve the major salivary glands. Much more is known regarding the clinical behavior of orbital pseudotumors, especially their steroid responsiveness. A case of fibroinflammatory pseudotumor involving the submandibular gland is presented with its preoperative cytologic and computed tomographic scan features. The lesion had a dramatic response to steroids for residual disease. If preoperative cytologic features of benign spindle cells with an inflammatory component seen on fine-needle aspiration raise the possibility of fibroinflammatory pseudotumor, then responsiveness to high-dose steroids may preclude the need for more-extensive surgery.