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Case Reports
. 2025 Jun 14;17(6):e86004.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.86004. eCollection 2025 Jun.

Sclerosing Polycystic Adenosis of the Parotid Gland: A Case Report and Literature Review

Marouane Imdary  1 , Najib Elorfi  1 , Oumaima Lakhal  1 , Othmane Benhoummad  2 , Mehdi Elfakiri  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Sclerosing Polycystic Adenosis of the Parotid Gland: A Case Report and Literature Review

Marouane Imdary et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Sclerosing polycystic adenosis (SPA) is a rare benign salivary gland lesion that resembles both benign and malignant tumors, complicating diagnosis. We present the case of a 44-year-old woman with progressive right lateral facial swelling. MRI suggested a pleomorphic adenoma and initial parotidectomy was followed by total excision based on frozen section results. Final histopathological analysis confirmed SPA, with characteristic abnormal glandular architecture in a sclerotic stroma and absence of malignant features. Complete surgical excision was curative. This case underscores the importance of considering SPA in the differential diagnosis of parotid masses.

Keywords: benign salivary gland lesions; parotidectomy; salivary gland tumors; sclerosing polycystic adenosis; standard parotidectomy incision.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Informed consent for treatment and open access publication was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Axial MRI images showing a well-defined right parotid mass suggestive of a pleomorphic adenoma. The arrow indicates the parotid mass.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Intraoperative view of the right superficial parotidectomy. The arrow indicates the facial nerve and its main branches.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Gross specimen of the excised parotid gland after total parotidectomy. The arrow highlights the nodular lesion consistent with sclerosing polycystic adenosis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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