A case of myoepithelioma mimicking a parotid cyst

KAMBUROĞLU H. O., KAYIKÇIOĞLU A. U., Himmetoglu C.

ENT-EAR NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL, vol.94, no.1, pp.37-39, 2015 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 94 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Journal Name: ENT-EAR NOSE & THROAT JOURNAL
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.37-39
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Myoepithelioma is an uncommon tumor of the myoepithelial cells that is considered to represent a distinct category of tumor by the World Health Organization. It accounts for less than 1% of all tumors that develop in the salivary glands. We describe the case of a 35-year-old woman who presented to us with a painless swelling on the right side of her face. She was diagnosed with a parotid gland cyst by ultrasonography and computed tomography. Following excision of the mass, however, the pathology report identified the tumor as a solid myoepithelioma. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a myoepithelioma that exhibited cystic features on radiologic examination even though it had a solid architecture. We also discuss the preoperative diagnostic aspects of the myoepitheliomas.