XXXX of the parotid gland presenting as an external auditory canal mass.

@entity1 @entity3981 @entity2103 @entity10106 @entity420
BACKGROUND: The fissures of Santorini have long been known as a gateway for disease to pass from the external auditory canal to the periparotid and neck spaces. Although anatomically understandable, description of disease that originates in the parotid gland and extends through the fissures to the external auditory canal is rare. This is, in fact,the first presentation of such a @entity1 at our institution in a previously untreated @entity1 . METHODS: A 43-year-old @entity1 was seen with a mass in her right external auditory canal. Further evaluation found this to be the presenting finding of a @entity10106 . The @entity1 also had a right marginal mandibular paresis. Biopsy of the external auditory canal mass provided a diagnosis of an acinic cell @entity420 . She underwent a right lateral temporal bone resection, type III modified neck dissection, and radical parotidectomy with @entity2103 and rectus abdominus reconstruction with facial nerve grafting. RESULTS: Pathologic examination of the specimen revealed an @entity3981 of the right parotid gland with focal dedifferentiation into a high-grade @entity420 . CONCLUSIONS: Care should be taken with auditory canal masses to remember the possibility that disease is extending from the parotid through the fissures of Santorini, and evaluation and management should proceed accordingly.
