In branchial lymphoepithelial cyst (BLEC), which is also known as branchial cleft cyst, the remnants of a branchial arch develop into a cyst, causing swelling. The first case of BLEC in the parotid gland was reported by Hildebrant in 1895. Since then, BLEC in the parotid gland has continued to be reported, but in rare cases. A 45-year-old man presented to our hospital with a swelling of the left cheek of approximately 6 months’ duration. The patient underwent a superficial parotidectomy and was pathologically diagnosed with BLEC. Of note, this was the first case of non-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related BLEC of the parotid gland in South Korea. BLEC is a benign condition, but its treatment depends on the presence of HIV infection. In HIV-negative patients, BLEC does not require a further work-up to evaluate metastasis. Our case report describes the diagnosis and treatment of BLEC in a patient without HIV.
Branchial Region ; Branchioma ; Cheek ; Diagnosis ; HIV ; HIV Infections ; Humans ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Parotid Gland ; Salivary Glands

Pseudoaneurysm of internal maxillary artery (IMA) after trauma is rare, and most cases reported are caused by maxilla-facial blunt trauma. Pseudoaneurysm is discontinuity in the vascular wall leading to an extravascular hematoma that freely communicates with the intravascular space producing pulsatile hematoma rapidly. A 44-years-old woman presented with a pulsatile swelling and pain in the left parotid region. She underwent the masticatory muscle reduction using needle injection in dentistry 1 month ago. The left facial pulsatile swelling developed after the procedure immediately and uncontrolled bleeding occurred on the day of visit to our institution. We performed emergency angiography and diagnosed pseudoaneurysm of left IMA. We treated by embolization with Histoacryl Glue through left IMA. IMA total occlusion was confirmed and symptoms improved. Pseudoaneurysm following blunt trauma of the face have been reported but are few. Furthermore, there is no report of IMA pseudoaneurysm due to direct injury by needle. Recently, many cosmetic surgery procedures using injection techniques have been performed, and it is necessary to pay attention to the direct vessel injury by the needle. And endovascular therapies can give early recovery with minimal morbidity and avoids injury to the facial nerve and its branches.
Adhesives ; Aneurysm, False ; Angiography ; Dentistry ; Emergencies ; Enbucrilate ; Facial Nerve ; Female ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Masticatory Muscles ; Maxillary Artery ; Needles ; Parotid Region ; Surgery, Plastic

Pneumoparotid is a rare cause of parotid gland swelling, and is caused by retrograde air reflux from the oral cavity, into the parotid gland via Stensen's duct. Most patients complained of painless swelling in the parotid region. Herein, we report a rare case of pneumoparotid, incidentally diagnosed without symptoms on CT, for follow-up of parotid lymph node enlargement.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Mouth ; Parotid Gland ; Parotid Region ; Salivary Ducts

Depression of facial contour after parotidectomy is still challenging to many of surgeons. A 68-year-old man presented with a 4-month history of a painless swelling in both parotid area. The mass was multiple and fixed at the parotid region. We conducted a parotid duct preserving bilateral superficial parotidectomy by one-stage operation to remove the multiple tumors. A lazy S incision was made in both preauricular area and the peripheral branches of the facial nerve were identified using surgical landmark. After dissecting the branches of the facial nerve and parotid duct, main parotid duct was preserved but only small fine ductules from the superficial lobe were ligated. Parotid gland was excised from its anterior aspect with about 1 cm of normal parotid tissue margin. The patient was followed up for 6 years to evaluate postoperative parotid gland function and the computed tomography (CT) was taken. Patient was satisfied with no significant complication such as sunken changes in facial contour, facial nerve function. As far as we know, it is the first study to compare long-term soft tissue contours of soft tissue of duct preserving superficial parotidectomy with duct sacrificing superficial parotidectomy by means of CT findings.
Aged ; Depression ; Facial Nerve ; Humans ; Parotid Gland ; Parotid Neoplasms ; Parotid Region ; Surgeons

A sialo-cutaneous fistula is a communication between the skin and a salivary gland or duct discharging saliva. Trauma and iatrogenic complications are the most common causes of this condition. Treatments include aspiration, compression, and the administration of systemic anticholinergics; however, their effects are transient and unsatisfactory in most cases. We had a case of a patient who developed an iatrogenic sialo-cutaneous fistula after wide excision of squamous cell carcinoma in the parotid region that was not treated with conventional management, but instead completely resolved with the injection of botulinum toxin. Based on our experience, we recommend the injection of botulinum toxin into the salivary glands, especially the parotid gland, as a conservative treatment option for sialo-cutaneous fistula.
Botulinum Toxins* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cholinergic Antagonists ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Parotid Gland ; Parotid Region ; Saliva ; Salivary Gland Fistula ; Salivary Glands ; Skin

Chondrosarcoma is extremely rare in maxillofacial soft tissue. A case diagnosed as well-differentiated chon- drosarcoma in the left parotid region was reported. The clinic pathological features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis were discussed with the literature review.
Bone Neoplasms ; Chondrosarcoma ; Humans ; Parotid Neoplasms ; Parotid Region

It is difficult to distinguish nodular fasciitis (NF) from other neoplasm of the parotid gland, especially pleomorphic adenoma (PA) by fine needle aspiration cytology. A 39-year-old female noticed a mass in the parotid region. The aspirate material showed cohesive parts composed of the cells that had oval or spindle-shaped nuclei and relatively abundant cytoplasm and some cells with plasmacytoid features. The background substance was fibromyxoid. PA was diagnosed based on the cytologic findings. Subsequently, parotidectomy was performed and NF was diagnosed based on histologic and immunohistochemical findings. NF in the parotid region is rare and may be misdiagnosed as other benign or malignant tumors of the parotid gland. The clinical history of rapid growth and the presence of mitoses and inflammatory cells help to distinguish NF from PA. In addition, immunohistochemical stains for smooth muscle actin and CD68 are useful to confirm the diagnosis of NF.
Actins ; Adenoma, Pleomorphic* ; Adult ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Coloring Agents ; Cytoplasm ; Diagnosis ; Fasciitis* ; Female ; Humans ; Mitosis ; Muscle, Smooth ; Parotid Gland* ; Parotid Region

Veins of the head and neck exhibiting anatomical variations or malformations are clinically significant. Anatomical variation in the external jugular vein is very common. However, anatomical variation in the retromandibular vein is rare. In this paper, we report a rare case of complete absence of the retromandibular vein. In the absence of the retromandibular vein, the maxillary vein divided into anterior and posterior divisions. The posterior division joined the superficial temporal vein to form an atypical external jugular vein, and the anterior division joined the facial vein to form an anonymous vein. In clinical practice, radiologists and surgeons use the retromandibular vein as a guide to expose the branches of the facial nerve during superficial parotidectomy. Therefore, absence of the retromandibular vein is a hurdle during this procedure and may affect the venous drainage pattern from the head and neck.
Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Drainage ; Facial Nerve ; Head ; Jugular Veins* ; Neck ; Parotid Region* ; Veins*

Veins of the head and neck exhibiting anatomical variations or malformations are clinically significant. Anatomical variation in the external jugular vein is very common. However, anatomical variation in the retromandibular vein is rare. In this paper, we report a rare case of complete absence of the retromandibular vein. In the absence of the retromandibular vein, the maxillary vein divided into anterior and posterior divisions. The posterior division joined the superficial temporal vein to form an atypical external jugular vein, and the anterior division joined the facial vein to form an anonymous vein. In clinical practice, radiologists and surgeons use the retromandibular vein as a guide to expose the branches of the facial nerve during superficial parotidectomy. Therefore, absence of the retromandibular vein is a hurdle during this procedure and may affect the venous drainage pattern from the head and neck.
Anonyms and Pseudonyms ; Drainage ; Facial Nerve ; Head ; Jugular Veins* ; Neck ; Parotid Region* ; Veins*

Lateral thoracic flap is a free flap for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects and has been previously used in oral and maxillofacial surgeries. We reported a case involving a huge soft tissue defect on the parotid region caused by the resection of parotid epithelial myoepithelial carcinoma. We discussed the anatomy and application of the lateral thoracic flap.
Carcinoma ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Parotid Region ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Surgical Flaps