A Case of Xanthogranulomatous Sialadenitis with Facial Palsy Mimicking Malignancy

Abstract

Parotid mass with facial palsy is often suggestive of malignancy. Facial palsy is present in 12% to 19% of patients with a malignant parotid mass regardless of tumor size. Xanthogranulomatous sialadenitis is a rare chronic inflammatory disorder. This is characterized by suppurative granulomatous inflammation and progressive destruction of the normal parenchyma. Since its first report in 1993, xanthogranulomatous sialadenitis has been reported in no more than 10 reports abroad, and to our knowledge, it has never been reported in Korea. It is hard to distinguish clinically xanthogranulomatous sialadenitis from malignancy because they have similar clinical symptoms and radiologic findings, so they should be diagnosed with pathologic methods. With a review of literature, the authors report a case of a parotid mass considered malignant in a 62-year-old, who has complained of a painful right parotid mass and ipsilateral facial palsy. The patient was managed by superficial parotidectomy and conservative antibitoic therapy.