A rare 'parotid tumour'

A ganglion of the temporo-mandibular joint presenting as a tumour of the deep lobe of the parotid gland is described. This appears to be the first description of such a case in the literature. Simple excision of the lesion after mobilization of the superficial lobe was performed. This form of management gives a very good cosmetic result for the occasional simple cyst of the deep parotid lobe. The ganglion reported in this paper presented as a parotid tumour. It was managed by mobilization of the superficial part of the gland from the facial nerve until the nature of the lesion was determined. The fact that the superficial lobe of the gland was not excised has caused no ill effect to the patient but has given a better cosmetic result by preventing the usual pre-tragal depression. Conservative surgery has previously been suggested in similar cases (Brennan et al., 1970).