Pediatric tumors of the buccal fat pad: lipoma and hemangioma

Abstract

Background: The buccal fat pad (BFP) has prompted numerous publications in anatomy, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery over the years; however, description of surgical treatment of pathologic conditions affecting this space is rare, especially in children. An extensive search of the English literature retrieved only five lipomas and one hemangioma in this age group.

Methods: The authors report on two of these exceptional pediatric tumors of the BFP: one lipoma and one hemangioma referred to the outpatient clinic for diagnosis and treatment.

Results: Both children had a similar clinical presentation and a characteristic MR image. The two lesions were excised through an intraoral approach, which proved to be a fast, safe and effective technique.

Conclusions: Being extremely rare, tumors of the BFP in children have an indicative clinical presentation and radiologic image. A detailed intraoral approach is described and proposed as effective and safe surgical treatment.

Keywords:

• Buccal fat pad
• pediatric tumors
• lipoma
• hemangioma

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.