Basal Cell Adenoma of the Parotid Gland: Case Report

Objective: Basal cell adenomas are rare form of monomorfic adenomas of the parotid gland. This rare form of the tumors are mostly seen on suprafacial part of the parotid gland. Basal cell adenomas are well demarcated and asymptomatic tumors that can be treated by surgical removal. Case repor: 48 years old female referred to our clinic with complaint of right sided asymptomatic preauricular swelling over 8 months. On the magnetic resonance examination on the right side of the parotid region, there was a contrast enhanced well demarcated, about 1,9x1,5 cm in size, round shaped mass lesion on T2 weighted view. Fine needle aspiration biopsy was not conclusive. Treatment and Prognosis: We planned superfacial parotidectomy but during surgery we recognize that the tumor was located on the deep lobe of the gland so performed partial parotidectomy for diagnosis and treatment. The pathologic investigation revealed basal cell adenoma. Recurrence was not detected in the 2 year follow up. Conclusion: Basal cell adenomas are rare form of parotid benign adenomas which can be misdiagnosed with malign tumors such as adenoid cystic carcinoma. The diagnosis with fine needle aspiration is difficult so when detected on physical examination on parotid region we should not insist on fine neddle aspiration biopsy to diagnosis.