INTRODUCTION: Pilomatricomas greater than 5cm in dimension (i.e. "giant" pilomatricomas) are uncommon, especially in the cheek. A brief review of the literature is presented. CASE REPORT: We report a rare case of a giant pilomatricoma of the right cheek immediately overlying and involving the lateral lobe of the parotid gland. The tumour was removed with preservation of the facial nerve. A cervicofacial fasciocutaneous advancement flap was used to reconstruct the surgical defect. CONCLUSION: Pilomatricoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of large cheek tumours. Giant pilomatricomas involving the parotid gland can be excised without sacrificing the facial nerve and the resultant surgical defect reconstructed with excellent cosmesis in a single-stage procedure.
INTRODUCTION:Pilomatricomas greater than 5cm in dimension (i.e. "giant" pilomatricomas) are uncommon, especially in the cheek. A brief review of the literature is presented. CASE REPORT: We report a rare case of a giant pilomatricoma of the right cheek immediately overlying and involving the lateral lobe of the parotid gland. The tumour was removed with preservation of the facial nerve. A cervicofacial fasciocutaneous advancement flap was used to reconstruct the surgical defect. CONCLUSION:Pilomatricoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of large cheek tumours. Giant pilomatricomas involving the parotid gland can be excised without sacrificing the facial nerve and the resultant surgical defect reconstructed with excellent cosmesis in a single-stage procedure.