Well‑circumscribed infiltrating lipoma of the parotid gland

Fei Chen; Dan Lu; Hui Yang; Qi Jun Chen

Fei Chen Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Dan Lu Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Hui Yang Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Qi Jun Chen Department of Pathology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Keywords: Infiltrating lipoma, Intramuscular lipoma, Lipoma, Parotid gland, Surgery, Therapy

Abstract

Infiltrating lipoma is an uncommon benign mesenchymal tumor that characteristically infiltrates adjacent tissues and tends to recur after excision. This type of lipoma is extremely rare in the head and neck area. We report a rare case of a well‑defined infiltrating lipoma of the parotid gland in a 34‑year‑old man. Physical examination revealed a 2.0 cm in diameter soft mass in upper superficial lobe of the left parotid gland. Ultrasonography showed a weak echo mass with a well‑defined margin, which was resected by partial parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve. Histology revealed an infiltrating lipoma with well‑encapsulated parotid gland. In conclusion, infiltrating lipoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of soft parotid gland mass.