Oncocytoma of the parotid gland.

Parotid oncocytomas account for 1% of all salivary gland tumors. (1) These tumors are classified as one of three types: diffuse oncocytosis, focal adenomatous oncocvtic hyperplasia, and oncocytoma. (2)

A62-year-old woman presented with a clinical history of a slowly growing, painless mass in the right parotid gland area. She experienced intermittent pain and facial nerve dysfunction. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a relatively well-marginated mass arising from the right parotid gland (figure). During surgical excision, the mass was identified as a well-circumscribed parotid oncocytoma. Histologically, the lesion contained multiple brown and tan nodules, some of which exhibited central scarring. (3)

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In a series of 68 patients with oncocytic salivary gland tumors, 84% of tumors occurred in the parotid gland, 11% occurred in the soft mandibular gland, and 5% represented incidental findings in the cervical lymph nodes) Most patients presented with unilateral painless masses. No gender predilection was noted. Oncocytomas may be multifocal or bilateral, and as many as 7% of cases may represent diffuse oncocytosis rather than a single mass. (3)

References

(1.)Loreti A, Sturla M, Gentileschi S, et al. Diffuse hyperplastic oncocytosis of the parotid gland. Br J Plast Surg 2002:55:15 l-2.

(2.) Capone RB, Ha PK, Westra WH, et al. Oncocytic neoplasms of the parotid gland: A 16-year institutional review. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2002;126:657-62.

(3.)Sore PM, Brandwein MS. Salivary glands: Anatomy and pathology. In: Sore PM, Curtin HD. Head and Neck Imaging. 4th ed. Vol. 2. St. Louis: Mosby, 2003:2005-2133.

Enrique Palacios, MD, FACR