Large cystic lymphangioma of the parotid gland in the adult

Abstract EN

Cystic lymphangioma (CL) of the parotid gland is an uncommon benign congenital tumor and very few cases have been reported in adults.

We report and discuss the case of a large CL of the parotid gland in a 66-year-old woman.

On computed tomography (CT) the tumor appeared as a large, well defined, unilocular cyst of the parotid region.

The lesion was surgically removed and the diagnosis was confirmed on postoperative histology.

CL of the parotid gland in adults presents difficult challenges to the surgeon for both differential diagnosis of parotid masses and treatment.

Surgery remains the treatment of choice despite its difficulty due to the infiltrating character of the lesion.

Sclerotherapy is an alternative in macrocystic type when surgical management is not possible.

Despite being benign tumors, CL are attended by a high rate of morbidity.