Myeloid sarcoma of submandibular salivary gland

OBJECTIVE: To report a rare case of a myeloid sarcoma of submandibular salivary gland. METHODS: A 65-year-old woman with a history of successfully treated myelodysplastic syndrome, presenting with periodic painful swelling of her right submandibular area. RESULTS: Physical evaluation, ultrasound and CT scan revealed the presence of a 3-cm mass contiguous to the submandibular salivary gland. A core needle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of myeloid sarcoma. Bone marrow biopsy was still showing complete remission and the submandibular gland was the only extramedullary site involved. The patient was submitted to chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Myeloid sarcoma is a rare extramedullary neoplasm. It can virtually involve any anatomic site, but it usually involves lymph nodes, paranasal sinuses, skin, soft tissue and periostium. Myeloid sarcomas of salivary glands are very rare and ENTs should be aware of this disease in order to include it in the differential diagnosis of a solitary neck mass.