Histological findings of capsule of acinic cell rumor of parotid gland

Abstract

From June 1984 to May 1992, four cases of acinic cell tumor of the parotid gland were treated. None of the cases were diagnosed as acinic cell tumor preoperatively. Although there was some indication that the tumors might be malignant, they were diagnosed as benign tumors and treated surgically. In two cases, branches of the facial nerve were involved by the tumors and partial resection necessary and, in one case, transplantation of the greater auricular nerve. Postoperative diagnoses were acinic cell tumor of the parotid gland. Histologic study of the capsule and surrounding tissues of tumors revealed benign plemorphic adenoma of parotid gland, but the relation between the facial nerve and tumor was inconsistent with that of pleomorphic adenoma. In these cases of acinic cell tumor, the connective tissues of the tumor capsule involved the facial nerves. Surgical management of the tumors involved more bleeding than is experienced with cases of common pleomorphic adenoma. Histological findings revealed many capillaries in the tumor and surrounding tissues. This finding suggests that we must give attention not only to lymphatic metastasis but also to hematogenic metastasis.