Nonsebaceous lymphadenoma of the parotid gland: Cytopathologic findings and differential diagnosis

Lymphadenomas (sebaceous and nonsebaceous types) of the salivary glands are extremely uncommon benign neoplasms. There are rare published reports of cytopathologic characteristics of "nonsebaceous lymphadenomas" of the parotid gland. We report herein, the case of an 80-year-old female who was evaluated at The Johns Hopkins Hospital for a 4.0 cm, nontender, mobile asymptomatic left parotid mass present for 3 months. An ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration revealed a uniform population of cohesive basaloid-type cells associated with scant myxoid stroma and was interpreted as "epithelioid neoplasm with basaloid features." Subsequently, a superficial parotidectomy was performed, which revealed a nonsebaceous type lymphadenoma. The rarity of this neoplasm and its superficial resemblance to more common salivary gland neoplasms may present diagnostic issues on FNA.