Generally, typical symptoms are significant for malignant parotid tumours: The infiltration of surrounding structures and facial paralysis. A case is reported where a benign parotid tumour (lymphadenitis) caused facial paralysis. Parotidectomy and the removal of the lymph node near the stylomastoid foramen led to complete restitution. A review of the literature of the past 40 years mentions 16 cases of benign neoplasms of the parotid gland that caused facial paralysis, such as pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin's tumour, oncocytoma, benign parotid cysts, chronical parotitis, lymphadenitis and parotid abscess.