Comparative study of the effect of antiretroviral therapy on benign lymphoepithelial cyst of parotid glands and ranulas in HIV-positive patients.
OBJECTIVE
This study's aim was to assess the effect of highly active antiretroviral drugs (HAART) on benign lymphoepithelial cysts (BLEC) of the parotid and ranulas.


METHODS
The records of 10 HIV-positive patients who presented with BLEC were reviewed, and 14 HIV-positive patients who presented with ranulas were prospectively enrolled. Patients in both groups received the same combination of HAART and were clinically evaluated for the first 3 months. Patients with ranulas were followed for an additional 3 months. A clinical reduction in the size of the lesions was considered to be a positive outcome.


RESULTS
All parotid glands with BLEC resolved within 3 months. No positive results were observed in ranulas during the first 3 months. However, some of the ranulas displayed a positive result after the initial 3 months of HAART.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to BLEC, ranulas in HIV-positive patients seem to present a mixed and delayed response to HAART.
Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, University Of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa. kabunda.syebele@up.ac.za
Kabunda
K
Syebele
Kurt-W
KW
Bütow
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003560:Cysts / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008206:Lymphatic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011900:Ranula / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000821:virology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult