Epithelioid myoepithelioma of the parotid gland: a case report with a brief literature overview

Abstract

Abstract Background Parotid tumors are frequently encountered by otolaryngologists, and the vast majority of these are of the pleomorphic variety. Myoepitheliomas represent a small subset of parotid tumors. Due to their lack of specificity, they can easily be mistaken by an untrained eye for a pleomorphic adenoma. However, the recent advent of immunohistochemical staining of the tumors has aided in their diagnosis. These tumors show both benign and malignant potential; therefore, careful evaluation and subsequent appropriate management are warranted. Case presentation Here, we present a case of a young female patient who presented with a parotid lesion diagnosed as a case of myoepithelioma and dealt with accordingly. She underwent superficial parotidectomy under general anesthesia. A 2 × 2 cm firm nodular swelling was excised from the left parotid gland, and the facial nerve was identified and preserved. Conclusions The management of these lesions is usually centered on the surgeon’s experience and opinion as there have not been enough reported cases required for the formulation of an evidence-based guideline, hence more single-center studies are essential for evidence-based management.

Keywords

• Myoepithelioma
• Parotid gland tumor
• Salivary gland neoplasm