Isolated Primary Rhinosporidiosis of the Parotid Duct: A Rare Presentation

Abstract

Introduction: The primary involvement of the parotid duct in rhinosporidiosis is very rare in clinical practice. Here, we present a case of rhinosporidiosis primarily involving the parotid duct, which was successfully excised through transparotid and transoral approaches.

Case report: A 51-year-old male presented with a painless progressive swelling over the left cheek for nine months. It was diagnosed as a parotid cyst or a mucous retention cyst based upon the radiological and cytological features. The cyst was completely excised with transparotid and transoral approaches, and the final diagnosis was confirmed to be rhinosporidiosis.

Conclusion: Although the nose and the paranasal sinus are the common sites to be involved in rhinosporidiosis, the affection of the parotid duct is very unusual in clinical practice.

Keywords: Parotid duct; Primary rhinosporidiosis; Surgical excision.

Fig 1

Photograph showing a globular swelling over the left cheek

Fig 2

Contrast magnetic resonance imaging (T1 and T2 weighted) showing a thick-wall cystic swelling in the left buccal space over the temporalis muscle

Fig 3

After superficial parotidectomy, the cyst was detected arising from the parotid duct (black arrow)

Fig 4

On histopathology, the lesion consists of globular cysts representing the sporangia containing daughter spores in different stages of development (Light microscopy, H&E, 50x)