Necrotizing sialometaplasia: report of five cases.

Necrotizing sialometaplasia (NS) is a self-limiting inflammatory disease, that involves salivary glands, more frequently the minor ones. Although its etiopathogenesis remains still unknown some authors suggest that a physico-chemical or biological injury on the blood vessels may produce ischemic changes, leading to infarction of the gland and its further necrosis. Its clinical and histologic feature resemble malignancy.