Zygomatic salivary cyst with mucocele formation in a cat

Abstract

An eight-year-old neutered male domestic shorthair cat had a zygomatic salivary cyst with associated mucocele formation. A fluctuating swelling developed ventral to the right eye, causing bulging of the lower eyeild, and a corresponding swelling was present in the caudal vestibule of the oral cavity. Cytological examination of the fluid obtained from aspiration of the swelling was consistent with the appearance of saliva. A tentative diagnosis of zygomatic salivary mucocele was made. Surgical exploration and resection of the swelling demonstrated the presence of a multilobular cystic zygomatic salivary gland. The histopathological appearance of the resected tissue was interpreted as an inflammatory reaction to mucus derived from a multilocular salivary cyst.