Necrotizing sialometaplasia. A clinicopathologic study of sixty-nine cases and review of the literature.

The clinicopathologic findings in 69 cases of necrotizing sialometaplasia (NS) were analyzed and compared with 115 reported cases of NS in the English-language literature. Data comparing age, sex, race, location, clinical presentation, and possible predisposing factors are summarized. Analysis of the data indicates that NS can occur in a variety of clinical settings and may exhibit a spectrum of histologic features. Recognition of NS, regardless of its clinical or microscopic presentation, is essential to avoid inappropriate or unnecessary treatment for this benign reactive process.