Benign lymphoepithelial lesion of the parotid gland with sebaceous differentiation

The salivary duct system in the setting of chronic sialadenitis is predisposed to undergo a variety of cellular modifications. This report documents a rare type of metaplasia of a parotid benign lymphoepithelial lesion. Epimyoepithelial islands showing focal sebaceous differentiation and pure sebaceous cell nests in addition to their usual histologic appearance were noted throughout the lesion. The possible pathogenesis is discussed through a review of the literature.