Intraductal papilloma of the salivary gland - A report of two cases with diagnosis by fine needle aspiration biopsy

BACKGROUND: Intraductal papillomas are rare, benign tumors most commonly en countered in minor salivary glands. They are cystic, solitary neoplasms tha t arise from ductal epithelium and produce painless swellings. CASES: Two cases arose in major salivary glands. The first case was a super ficial, firm mass at the superior edge of the parotid, cytologically evocat ive of an adnexal tumor. A firm, submandibular mass in the second case was diagnosed as a papillary neoplasm. Fluid was aspirated from bath cases. Thr ee-dimensional epithelial clusters, some with a papillary configuration and histiocytes, were the main cellular components. The majority of cells show ed oncocytic differentiation; however, benign-appearing ductal cells in hon eycomb sheets were also present. The first case also had occasional cells s uggestive of sebaceous differentiation. The excised lesions were unilocular cystic papillary neoplasms consistent with intraductal papilloma; focal se baceous differentiation was noted in the first case. CONCLUSION: Awareness of the cytologic features of intraductal papilloma of the salivary glands should prompt its inclusion in the differential diagno sis of papillary lesions of the head and neck.