Lipoma of the Superficial Lobe of the Parotid Gland: A Case Report

Abstract

Objectives: Lipomas are common benign soft tissue tumors, but they are rarely found in the parotid gland. Because of their rarity at this site, they are not often considered in the differential diagnosis of parotid lumps. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is today's Goal Standard imaging for parotid lipomas. Preoperative diagnosis remains difficult, and surgical excision is challenging due to the facial nerve possible injury.Case Report: We report a case of a 48-year-old man who presented with a painless, slowly growing, mobile lump of the left parotid gland. Ultrasonography and Computed Tomography (CT) suspected lipoma of the superficial lobe of the left parotid gland. An enucleation was performed with an uneventful postoperative course. The histology analysis confirmed the diagnosis of lipoma.Conclusion: Although lipomas of the parotid rarely occur, they should be considered in the preoperative differential diagnosis. Management could be successfully achieved in low-income countries using the imaging tools available.