Keratocystoma of the parotid gland: a clinicopathological study and literature review

Abstract The authors investigated the clinicopathological characteristics of keratocystoma of the parotid gland. Two cases of parotid gland keratocystoma in the files of Nanjing Stomatological Hospital were analysed. These slowly growing parotid gland tumours occurred in two women aged 29 and 49 years. The cut surface showed multilocular cystic lesions filled with keratin materials. Histologically, there were multi-cystic spaces and solid epithelium islands, containing keratinized lamellae. Without cytological atypia, the lining stratified squamous epithelium showed apparent keratinization through an orthokeratotic or parakeratotic pathway. No skin appendage formation was observed. Both cases immunoreactively stained positively for AE1/AE3 and CK5/6 but negatively for CK8/18, S-100 and Calponin. There was no evidence of recurrence 3 or 4 years after superficial parotidectomy. The data from these two cases and cases previously published suggest that keratocystoma of the parotid gland is a benign cystic neoplasm. Surgical resection is apparently sufficient for cure.