Accessory parotid gland lesions: case report and review of literature

There are numerous causes for chronic cheek swelling, including masseteric hypertrophy, lymphadenopathy, diffuse inflammatory changes and neoplasia. We report an unusual case of a recurrent swelling as the result of sialolithiasis of an accessory parotid gland, which lay isolated from the main parotid gland along the Stensen’s duct. The calculi developed in the accessory salivary tissue whereas all major salivary glands presented without sialolithiasis. Clinical findings as well as imaging results are shown and surgical management and histopathology are discussed. Hereby, for the first time we report a case with multiple calculi in an accessory parotid gland removed via a standard parotid incision. Further to this, we give a comprehensive review of literature on accessory parotid gland lesions.