Mandibular pathology presenting as a parotid tumour

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Head and Neck Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Parotid region swelling typically suggests salivary gland tumors.
• Differential diagnosis must include adjacent anatomical structures.
• Accurate diagnosis is essential for appropriate patient management.

Observation:

• Three cases presented with mandibular ramus pathology mimicking parotid swelling.
• Clinical diagnosis often initially suggested parotid tumors.
• Parotidectomy was performed in two cases before correct diagnosis.

Findings:

• Mandibular ramus pathology can present as parotid region swelling.
• Diagnostic difficulties arise due to overlapping clinical presentations.
• Plain radiographs of adjacent hard tissues are valuable for diagnosis.

Implications:

• Emphasizes the need for comprehensive differential diagnosis in parotid swelling.
• Highlights the importance of advanced imaging and understanding jaw pathology.
• Aids clinicians in avoiding misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgical procedures.