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Case Reports
. 2020 Nov 2:37:209.
doi: 10.11604/pamj.2020.37.209.22059. eCollection 2020.

Pleomorphic adenoma presenting as retroauricular mass: an unusual case

Affiliations
Case Reports

Pleomorphic adenoma presenting as retroauricular mass: an unusual case

Laina Ndapewa Angula et al. Pan Afr Med J. .

Abstract

Pleomorphic adenomas are benign salivary gland tumours that mostly affect the superficial lobe of the parotid gland. They are commonly found incidentally as rigid, unilateral, painless masses, growing gradually. Ninety percent of pleomorphic adenomas occur in the parotid gland, while 10% appear in minor salivary glands. The incidence of the parotid tumour is 2.4 in 10,000 per year. We describe the case of a 53-year-old woman presenting with a gradually growing retroauricular mass on the left side of the ear. Radiographic imaging and histopathological findings suggested a pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland. The tumour was removed and the patient recovered well upon follow-up.

Keywords: Pleomorphic adenoma; parotid gland; retroauricular mass.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
lateral view of the neck showing the left postauricular mass
Figure 2
Figure 2
otoscopic findings of the posterior wall of the left auditory canal showing a mass; a normal tympanic membrane was seen
Figure 3
Figure 3
MRI displaying a hypointense lesion
Figure 4
Figure 4
facial nerve trunk exposed and protected
Figure 5
Figure 5
removed parotid gland, lymph nodes, and adipose connective tissue of size 2 cm × 2 cm × 1.4 cm
Figure 6
Figure 6
sutured layer with a drainage tube
Figure 7
Figure 7
A,B) biopsy of the left parotid gland revealing a malignant tumour, a persistent mucoepidermoid carcinoma

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