A 26-year-old Caucasian woman presented to the hospital with clinical concern for a parotid abscess. The patient reported that she had right facial swelling for years, which had recently worsened. Neck CT with intravenous contrast was then performed, which demonstrated a right parotid mass. No abscess was present. Ultrasound-guided biopsy was then performed, yielding a diagnosis of parotid acinic cell carcinoma.
Contrast-enhanced CT demonstrated the presence of a well-circumscribed, lobulated enhancing mass within the superficial right parotid gland. The mass is relatively homogeneous with some cystic components (Figure 1).
Parotid acinic cell carcinoma
Acinic cell carcinoma is an indolent, low-grade malignant parotid tumor.1 Overall, it is the third-most common malignant tumor of the parotid gland. Acinic cell carcinoma occurs more commonly in the parotid gland compared to other salivary glands. Patients are generally younger compared to those with other parotid malignancies. Although it has a favorable prognosis, recurrence and metastatic disease can occur several years after treatment. On CT imaging the tumor is lobulated and homogeneous. Cysts, necrosis and hemorrhage can be present. Calcifications are uncommon. MR imaging typically demonstrates T2 hyperintense signal. All in all, acinic cell carcinoma cannot reliably be differentiated from other parotid gland tumors.2 Treatment is surgical excision with or without radiation.3
Parotid acinic cell carcinoma is a rare, slow-growing, malignant tumor with imaging findings indistinguishable from other parotid tumors. It is the third-most common malignant tumor of the parotid gland.
Yaldoo B, Jaber M. Parotid acinic cell carcinoma. Appl Radiol. 2019;48(2):36.
Prepared by Dr. Yaldoo while a Diagnostic Radiology Resident, and Dr. Jaber while an Interventional Radiologist, at McLaren Oakland Hospital in Pontiac, MI.
