JUVENIL CAVERNOUS HEMANGIOMA OF THE PAROTID GLAND: REPORT OF ONE CASE WITH REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Introduction: Parotid hemangiomas in pediatric population comprise more than 50 % of salivary gland tumors. In most cases, they are present since birth and have a proliferative phase during the first 6 months of life. Objectives: The purpose of our study is to review the clinical presentation, imaging, treatment and follow-up that should be sufficient to preserve the functional and aesthetic prognosis, which might be threatened by this condition. Case summary: Two years-old girl presented with a right- sided facial mass that was initially noticed at 4 months of ages.On physical examination, a soft, elastic, painful, non-fluctuating, non-pulsatile mass without trophic skin changes and of 6 cm of maximum diameter was palpated in the tail of the right parotid gland with a grade V facial paralisy.The MRI showed signs of cystic lymphangioma. She had a parotidectomy with no post-operative complications. The histological study reported a cavernous hemangioma. Discussion: Parotid Hemangioma is the most common parotid tumor during the first year of life, with a slow growth. The MRI is fundamental before the surgery to avoid any biopsy. Conclusion: Typical clinical presentation alone may be adequate to establish a diagnosis of parotid infantile hemangioma. However, in patients with no overlying cutaneous lesion, imaging can play a critical role in confirming the diagnosis.