Dermoid cyst of the parotid gland: report of a rare entity with literature review.

Dermoid cysts (DCs)are benign lesions and histologically composed of tissues originating from ectoderm and mesoderm, but not endoderm. Approximately 7 % of all DCs are seen in head and neck area. However, parotid gland is an extremely rare localization in which DCs develop, and only 17 cases have been reported in the literature to date. Correct preoperative diagnosis is difficult to be established due to the rarity and ambiguous radiological findings. We report a case of a 21-year old man. All previous reports reviewed and the pathogenesis as well as the histopathologic and radiologic features are discussed.