A 15-year-old boy was diagnosed with a cystic parotid mass, which was initially thought to be a first branchial cleft cyst. The mass was treated with antibiotics and fully resolved on examination and imaging. The mass returned, and a superficial parotidectomy was performed to remove the suspected branchial cleft cyst. Final pathology demonstrated a B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. Bilateral bone marrow biopsies and peripheral blood counts were negative for any malignancy. This case demonstrates a rare presentation of primary parotid B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma that began as a fluctuating cystic parotid mass consistent in appearance with a first branchial cleft cyst. Laryngoscope, 128:998-1001, 2018.
Keywords: Pediatric; branchial cleft cyst; head and neck tumor; lymphoma; parotid.
© 2017 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.