An unusual neck mass: the Warthin tumor

The cystoadenolymphoma or Warthin's tumor is a benign lesion of the salivary glands and principally of the parotid gland. We report a case of a 62 year old white male seen at our Institute for evaluation of an asymptomatic right neck mass located 2 cm below the mandible at the anterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. The echography showed a lymphoid structure simulating a lymphoproliferative process. Histologic examination of the surgical specimen revealed a Warthin's tumor. We discuss the importance of considering Warthin's tumor in the differential diagnosis of an isolated neck mass, and report our experience over a ten year period in the surgical management of neck masses. Additionally, the literature concerning extraparotid Warthin's tumors is reviewed.