Sudden parotid swelling due to spontaneous haemorrhage

Abstract

This paper presents an interesting case of a severe spontaneous haemorrhagewithin the parotid gland in an adult. A rapidly enlarging parotid mass with absence of causative trauma, inflammation or vascular abnormality, raised the suspicion of a neoplasm. Ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and tissue biopsy, however, have shown only changes suggestive of previous haemorrhage and no evidence of malignancy. A 30-year review of theliterature revealed no similar case reported previously.