New Trends of Warthin Tumor Management: A Systematic Review of Nonsurgical Modalities

Abstract

Objective: To provide a comprehensive review of nonsurgical approaches for the management of Warthin’s tumors (WTs) and evaluate their safety and efficacy as alternatives to surgical intervention. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases using specific keywords related to WT and nonsurgical treatments. Studies published before 2012, non-English publications, and mixed methodology articles were excluded. The selection process involved title and abstract screening, followed by a thorough assessment of the remaining articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data regarding study characteristics, participants, interventions, and outcomes were collected. Results: A total of 1582 records were analyzed, and 6 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies evaluated different nonsurgical interventions for WT management, including microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation, and ultrasound-guided ethanol sclerotherapy. The findings demonstrated that microwave ablation and radiofrequency ablation led to a significant reduction in tumor size and improved cosmetic appearance. Ultrasound-guided ethanol sclerotherapy also resulted in a notable decrease in tumor size without complications. The included studies supported the safety and efficacy of these nonsurgical options for the treatment of WTs. Conclusion: Nonsurgical approaches, such as microwave ablation, radiofrequency ablation, and ultrasound-guided ethanol sclerotherapy, have emerged as viable alternatives to surgical intervention for the management of WTs. These interventions offer promising outcomes in terms of tumor size reduction and cosmetic improvement. Further research with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up is warranted to validate these findings and establish standardized protocols for nonsurgical management of WTs.