Clinical Records

Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma of the parotid gland

A Zainal^a1 c1, M Y Razif^a1, M Makhashen^a2, M Swaminathan^a2 and A Mazita^a1

^a1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

^a2 Department of Pathology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Abstract

Objectives: To highlight the first reported case of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma of the parotid gland. We also review the clinical presentations and treatments for this rare condition.

Method: Case report and review of necrobiotic xanthogranuloma.

Results: A 48-year-old man presented with a right parotid mass. Fine needle aspiration cytology was suggestive of Warthin's tumour, for which the patient underwent a subtotal parotidectomy. The final histopathological diagnosis was necrobiotic xanthogranuloma.

Conclusions: Necrobiotic xanthogranuloma may clinically mimic commoner tumours such as Warthin's tumour. Once diagnosed, the clinician should be wary of extracutaneous manifestations and paraproteinaemias. Because of the variability of presentation, there is no consensus on the best treatment for necrobiotic xanthogranuloma, which may include surgery, chemotherapy, interferon, plasmapheresis and radiation therapy.

(Accepted June 22 2009)

(Online publication October 14 2009)

Key words

• Xanthogranuloma;
• Parotid

Correspondence:

^c1 Address for correspondence: Dr A Zainal, Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Fax: 603 91737840 E-mail: azidazainal@gmail.com

Footnotes

Dr A Zainal takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper.

Competing interests: None declared