Acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid in children

Abstract

The imaging findings of two children with acinic cell carcinoma of the parotid gland are presented. Ultrasonic features are emphasized. One of these children, a 6-year-old boy, suffers from the oculocerebrorenal syndrome of Lowe, a rare congenital, inherited condition manifested by defects of the nervous system (mental retardation, hypotonia), eyes (cataracts, glaucoma) and kidneys. To date, no known association exists between these two rare entities. The other child, a 10-year-old girl, was otherwise well. The ultrasound findings of both cases demonstrate features more classic for a benign intraparotid mass than for a potentially malignant lesion. The possibility of acinic cell carcinoma should be considered if a well-defined, relatively homogenously hypo-echoic intraparotid mass is encountered in a child, especially if cystic spaces are present.