Parotid oncocytosis presenting with a spontaneous abscess: a case report

ABSTRACT Salivary oncocytic lesions are rare entities, representing less than 1% of all salivary gland tumors and predominantly affecting the parotid gland. While oncocytomas are the most common presentation, oncocytic hyperplasia (oncocytosis) is a rarer, multifocal process with virtually no risk of malignant transformation. Case Report We report the case of a 69-year-old woman patient who presented with a painful cervical mass and signs of inflammation, initially diagnosed as complicated parotitis. Imaging revealed a heterogeneous mass in the left parotid gland. The patient underwent drainage of a spontaneous abscess associated with the lesion. Histopathological analysis was consistent with diffuse oncocytic hyperplasia (oncocytosis). The patient recovered well after this conservative approach, without the need for total parotidectomy, and remained recurrence-free at the 6-month follow-up. Conclusion This case is notable for the unusual presentation of oncocytosis complicated by a spontaneous abscess, an association not previously described in the literature. Accurate diagnosis of this benign condition is crucial for differentiating it from malignant lesions, thereby preventing unnecessary radical surgical procedures and the resulting morbidity.