Cryptococcal parotitis presenting as a cystic parotid mass: Report of a case diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology

We report the fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology findings that allowed us to diagnose cryptococcal parotitis in a 31-year-old HIV positive patient. The patient presented with painful and enlarged right parotid gland and a CT scan showed a cystic lesion with rim enhancement. The FNA cytology revealed yeasts of variable size, some of which had bright eosinophilic capsules in Diff-Quik stained preparations. Mucicarmine and silver stain supported the diagnosis of cryptococcal parotitis, which was later confirmed by fungal culture of the aspirated material. We thus show that fungal infection can present as a cystic parotid mass in an immunosuppressed patient and that the diagnosis can be made by FNA cytology. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2005;33:36-38. (c) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.