Warthin's tumor surgery

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ammu Susheela, M.D. [2]

Warthin's tumor Microchapters
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Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Warthin's tumor from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
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Surgery
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Overview

Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for Warthin's tumor.

Surgery

• Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for Warthin's tumor. Recurrence is rare, occurring in 6 - 12% of cases. Warthin's tumor is highly unlikely to become malignant.
• Surgery should be followed by careful observation to watch for changes in the tumor over time. Frey syndrome has been successfully treated with injections of botulinum toxin A.

Complications of surgery:

• Frey syndrome:
  • Frey syndrome is also known as gustatory sweating or auriculotemporal syndrome.
  • Include flushing and sweating over the parotid region during mastication.
  • May occur from 2 weeks to 2 years
  • Result from regeneration of cut parasympathetic fibres between otic ganglion and salivery tissue.
  • Botulinum toxin A by intracutaneous injections provides successful treatment.

• Bleeding and hematoma
• Numbness in the distribution of great Auricular nerve including ear, face and neck
• Sialocele and salivary fistula occurs in 5% post operative patients.
• Deep lobe and pharyngeal space dissection may result in cramping and spasm in parotid region during swallowing.
• Incidence of facial paralysis is 27-43%