Cytodiagnosis of lesions presenting as salivary gland swellings: a report of seven cases.

The cytologic and histologic findings of seven cases presenting clinically as salivary gland swellings are described. These included two cases of pilomatrixoma of skin in the parotid region, two cases of neurilemmoma in the submandibular area, a case of Kimura's disease in the peri-mandibular gland lymphoid tissue, a case of Castleman's disease in intraparotid lymph node, and a case of branchial cleft cyst in the parotid region. It is important to recognize lesions that masquerade as salivary gland tumors so that misdiagnosis and overdiagnosis on smears can be avoided and the patients can be treated appropriately.