Huge lipoma of the right parotid gland: Case report and review of 42 cases

Abstract

Lipomas are rarely found in the parotid gland region. Because of their rarity at this site, they are not often considered in the differential diagnosis of parotid tumors. The parotid lipoma is a slowly growing, asymptomatic, freely movable, soft mass. Preoperative diagnosis is generally difficult. We present a case of a slowly enlarging mass of the parotid region in a 44-year-old man that proved to be a lipomatous tumor of the parotid gland. We also review 42 other cases from the literature. Our patient's huge tumor was located in the superficial lobe of the gland, and a parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve was performed. There was no complication or recurrence of the tumor after a follow-up of 1 year.