Patient Data
2.4cm solid enhancing mass in deep lobe of left parotid. Mildly hyperintense to normal parotid on T2 weighted imaging. Unsharp margin anteromedially with medial pterygoid.
No diffusion restriction (not shown). No contralateral parotid mass.
Ultrasound - hypoechoic left parotid mass with ill-defined margins. No internal vascularity was seen.
Case Discussion
Imaging findings: Enhancing solid left parotid mass.
Ultrasound guided FNA cytology:
The features are in keeping with a Warthin tumor. Malignant cells are not seen.
Surgical resection - histology:
MUCOEPIDERMOID CARCINOMA, GRADE II.
REGIONAL LYMPH NODES: ONE (1) OF ELEVEN (11) NODES CONTAINS TUMOR.
(Note cytological findings were discordant with the surgical pathology specimen)
Imaging and cytology are not necessarily reliable in distinguishing benign from malignant parotid neoplasms.