Osteolipoma: an unusual tumor of the parotid region

Oncology of the parotid region is rich and varied, like its components. During his career, the ENT surgeon may come across such an exceptional tumor as osteolipoma. The aim of this study was to describe the rarity and the etiopathogeny of osteolipoma with parapharyngeal location.

We had the opportunity to find this uncommon tumor in a 21-year-old female patient. The mass located in the parotid region was hard, barely mobile and at first looked like a parotid tumor. Total parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation was performed. It revealed a stony and dented tumor inside the internal lobe of the parotid located in the parapharyngeal space between the vertical portion of the mandible anteriorly and the styloid apophyse posteriorly. Macroscopic examination of the piece evidenced a lipomatous mass with hard as bone nodes in its middle. Histology revealed an osteolipoma.

A review of the literature shows the uncommon occurrence of this type of tumor. A few rare cases were reported among which two involving the parapharyngeal space.