Lipomatosis of the parotid gland in a child

Lipomatosis of the parotid gland is a very rare tumour and its discovery in a child is exceptional. These tumours are not generally considered in the preoperative differential diagnosis of parotid region neoplasms because of their rarity. The treatment of choice is surgical excision, with a superficial or total parotidectomy, preserving the facial nerve. Long-term follow-up is advised due to possible microscopic infiltration. A case of lipomatosis of the parotid gland in a 4-month-old child is reported. (C) 2000 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.