[Parotid retention cyst revealing a mucoepidermoid carcinoma].

OBJECTIVES

To describe a case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland that caused obstruction of a salivary gland duct and manifested as a parotid retention cyst.

PATIENT AND

METHODS

A 21-year-old woman presented with a 5-cm cystic swelling in her left parotid region. Ultrasound examination and a computerized tomography scan showed a clearly outlined parotid cyst. Through a conventional parotidectomy incision, the cyst was excised with parotid gland tissue around the lesion. The patient had an uncomplicated recovery.

RESULTS

Histopathological examination of the resected parotidectomy material showed a parotid retention cyst and a mucoepidermoid carcinoma measuring 5mm in diameter.

CONCLUSION

Among acquired cysts of the parotid gland, retention cysts are the most frequent. They may be the presenting symptom in patients with occult cancer of the parotid. In this case report, a mucoepidermoid carcinoma played a significant role in the obstruction of a salivary gland duct and caused a parotid retention cyst. Thus, a wide excision of the parotid retention cyst is necessary, as is a careful review of the histology searching for malignant lesion.