Low-Level Laser Therapy Approach of Bilateral Necrotizing Sialometaplasia of the Hard and Soft Palates

Abstract

Introduction: Necrotizing sialometaplasia (NS) is a rare locally destructive inflammatory benign disease that commonly affects the minor salivary glands. It is frequently associated with the glands located in the posterior portion of the hard and soft palates. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), also called photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), has been deemed a substantial method for the regenerative wound process. Case Presentation: A 32-year-old male patient was referred with a chief complaint of two asymptomatic crater-like ulcers measuring approximately 1.5 cm wide on the right side of the hard and soft palates, and another measuring 0.3 cm wide on the left side of the hard palate. The lesion had two weeks of evolution followed by a previous infectious "sore throat" event that kept the patient hospitalized for 4 days. A clinical diagnosis of NS was made. LLLT was applied during 2 sessions per week, favoring the total wound healing within 2 weeks. At 3 months of clinical followup, the patient did not present any complication or relapse and was thus released. Conclusion: This is, to our knowledge, the first clinical report of LLLT applied for the management of NS. Large palatal ulcers caused by NS usually have long healing periods. The shortened healing period observed in this case encourages the inclusion of LLLT in any treatment protocol for similar lesions.