Diffuse hyperplastic oncocytosis of the parotid gland.

Oncocytic tumours rarely affect the major salivary glands, accounting for less than 1% of all salivary-gland tumours. The World Health Organisation classification groups these tumours into three principal types: diffuse oncocytosis, focal adenomatous oncocytic hyperplasia and oncocytoma. Diffuse hyperplastic oncocytosis is the rarest lesion: only six cases have been previously reported in the literature. This condition of putative hyperplastic pathogenesis follows a benign course, whereas oncocytomas may recur after excision. No metastatic dissemination or recurrence of diffuse hyperplastic oncocytosis has been reported. We present and discuss a new case of diffuse hyperplastic oncocytosis of the parotid gland. Copyright 2002 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.