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18 June 2015 - Case #355

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Thanks to Dr. Huda Jamsheer, Ministry of Health (Kingdom of Bahrain), for contributing this case and the discussion.


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Case #355

Clinical history:
A 16 year old girl presented with a tender, firm, non-fluctuant swelling in the right, mid-parotid region, gradually increasing in size over the past 3 years. The swelling measured 2.4 x 2.1 x 0.5 cm, and was adherent to the facial nerve by MRI. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed followed by a total parotidectomy.

Cytology images:


Microscopic images:


What is your diagnosis?

Click here for diagnosis and discussion:


Diagnosis: Acinic cell carcinoma

Discussion:
Histologic examination revealed a solid growth pattern of cells exhibiting serous acinar differentiation with cytoplasmic basophilic granules. The diagnosis was acinic cell carcinoma with no metastasis in the 10 lymph nodes found within the specimen. No facial nerve involvement was seen.

Epithelial salivary gland neoplasms are rare in children and adolescents, and represent only 1 - 5% of childhood salivary gland tumors (Pediatr Surg Int 2005;21:377). The clinical evaluation of a parotid mass can be difficult in children. Clinically, these lesions manifest as painless, enlarging lesions and grow slowly, without symptoms.

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is safe, rapid and helpful to evaluate a parotid mass, with a 91% specificity and 96% sensitivity when sufficient cells are present (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;126:177). The diagnosis of acinic cell carcinoma by FNA can be particularly challenging. A College of American Pathologists (CAP) Interlaboratory Comparison Program revealed that 49% were called benign, the most likely malignant salivary gland neoplasm to be misdiagnosed as benign (Arch Pathol Lab Med 2005;129:26). The tumor can resemble normal salivary gland tissue but its aspirate smears are very cellular. The cells have abundant cytoplasm, uniform round nuclei with evenly dispersed chromatin and a small nucleolus. Absence of well formed acini and salivary ducts are diagnostic (Diagn Cytopathol 1997;17:347, Diagn Cytopathol 1997;17:8, Acta Cytol 2000;44:1073). The differential diagnosis includes chronic sialadenitis and Warthin tumor, if background lymphocytes or cellular debris are seen.

Treatment includes surgery, radiotherapy and brachytherapy (Strahlenther Onkol 2014;190:1008). 5 year survival is up to 97% (Laryngoscope 2014;124:172, Acta Otolaryngol 2005;125:207, Head Neck 1999;21:297). Continued careful follow up of patients is required due to case reports of recurrence up to 10 years after diagnosis (J Med Invest 1999;46:213).


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