Pathologic Correlation of the Unknown Solid Parotid Mass in Children

Abstract

A parotid mass in a pediatric patient is stated to have an approximately 50% likelihood of being malignant. To evaluate our experience in light of this suggested incidence, we conducted a retrospective study, which included 22 patients treated over an 8-year period, 1979 to 1987. Patients' ages ranged from 16 months to 19 years, and all patients presented with an unknown, solid parotid mass. One patient had a malignancy, mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Eight patients were diagnosed with benign pleomorphic adenoma. Thirteen patients had an inflammatory process consisting of one of the following conditions: cat-scratch disease (4); atypical mycobacteria (4); benign follicular hyperplasia of a lymph node (4); and toxoplasmosis (1). The histologic findings in this series suggest that unknown solid parotid masses that occur in children or adolescents are frequently the result of inflammatory conditions and are not likely to be malignant. We therefore recommend a reconsideration of the reputed estimation of malignancy in the parotid gland in children. The majority of pathologic conditions discovered, however, are still best diagnosed and treated by surgical excision.

Role of computed tomography in the evaluation of neck masses

“…The tumor had ill-defined borders with heterogeneous enhancement and central non enhancing region, lesion causing mass effect on parapharyngeal space and compressing the internal jugular rein. The imaging appearance correlated with the study of Byrne MN et al [24] and Camacho AE et al [25] .…”

Pediatric Epithelial Salivary Gland Tumors: Spectrum of Histologies and Cytogenetics at a Children's Hospital

“…In children, reports differ regarding the proportion of malignant to benign lesions. Some, including several large studies, report a predominance of benign tumors [2,[4][5][6][7][8][9][10] approaching the 85%-90% [11] frequency encountered in adults. Others report a predominance of malignant tumors [12][13][14][15], and still others report an equal occurrence of malignant and benign tumors [1,3,[16][17][18][19][20].…”

Toxoplasmic Lymphadenitis of the Head and Neck Region

“…including the central nervous system, cardiac involvement, pneumonia, and chorioretinitis. 5) Serology testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis, in conjunction with the findings on lymph node histology. For the diagnosis of a suspected case of acute toxoplasmosis, IgG and IgM serology are the main clinical tests performed.…”