Giant epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland

We present the case of an elderly woman with a painless giant tumor of the neck. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a cyst-like lesion that appeared to arise from the parotid gland. The tumor was removed in toto and histopathologically diagnosed as an epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma. Such rare carcinomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of parotid gland malignancies. We discuss the possibilities of imaging modalities such as CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the differentiation between benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. (C) 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.