Unusual localization of a recurrent benign parotid tumor in the infratemporal fossa
Marsot-Dupuch, K.; Raveau, V.; Chouard, C.
Annales de Radiologie 35(6): 489-493
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-4185 PMID: 1300093 Document Number: 397702
Recurrences of parotid tumours are frequent (10 to 20% of cases) and require regular follow-up of these patients, especially when primary surgery was only partial and the initial tumour was multinodular. Malignant degeneration is reported in 1% of these tumours. The site of a parotid tumour in the infratemporal fossa is exceptional and usually indicates a malignant tumour metastasising along the internal maxillary artery and auriculotemporal nerve, as the inter-pterygoid aponeurosis is very resistant. However, this is no longer true following primary surgery in which damage to this aponeurosis is responsible for dissemination or localisation of the recurrence in the infratemporal fossa. The infiltrated appearance of the skin, muscles or fat is not suggestive of a malignant tumour and this dissemination can be explained by the multinodular and invasive potential of this tumour.