Necrotizing sialometaplasia of the tonsillar pillar. An unusual case

Necrotizing Sialometaplasia (NS) is a rare, benign, self-limited, inflammatory and necrotizing reaction of the salivary glandular tissue. Due to the clinical picture (a painful ulcer with well-defined edges), and histopathological characteristics (nuclear and cellular pleomorphism of ductal cells) NS can mimic a malignant lesion. The correct diagnosis is important because NS shows a spontaneous resolution and therefore no further treatment is needed. We report a very unusual case of spontaneous and recurrent NS located on the anterior tonsillar pillar in a 43-year old man, which clinically mimics a malignant lesion. The clinician should be aware to include NS in the differential diagnosis o…