Cavernous vascular tumor of the accessory parotid gland

According to autopsy studies, the accessory parotid gland is present in 21% or 56% of the population. Their sizes range from that of a small, flattened pea to the size of a large lima bean. The accessory parotid gland is clearly separate from the main parotid gland and is located on the masseter muscle, to which it is bound by an extension of the masseteric fascia, and on or above the Stensen duct, into which it drains through one, or occasionally more than two, ducts.(1,2) Neoplastic changes within the accessory parotid gland are uncommon, and these neoplasms account for only 1% to 7.7% of all parotid gland tumors. Pleomorphic adenoma is the most common neoplasm as is the case for the main parotid gland. The malignancy rate of accessory parotid gland tumors ranges from 26% to 50% and is larger than that of the main parotid gland.(3/4) Hemangiomas are the most common tumor of the main parotid gland in children; however, only one case report is available on infantile hemangioma of the accessory parotid 5 gland. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge, no case of hemangioma arising from the accessory parotid gland in an adult has been reported. We present such a case and include a review of the literature.