M etastatic spread represents around 10% 1 of all parotid malignancies. These are most commonly from squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas of the head and neck. Metastases from a primary tumor below the clavicles are extremely uncommon. We report a case of a patient presenting with a parotid mass that subsequently turned out to be a secondary tumor from a renal cell carcinoma treated 7 years previously. We discuss diagnosis of this tumor and management options. A 74-year-old woman presented to the otolaryngology clinic with a 3-month history of a right-sided preauricular swelling. The swelling was mildly tender, and firm and measured 2 ϫ 2 cm. There was no clinical evidence of facial nerve involvement or any cervical lymphadenopathy. Examination of the ears, nose, and throat was unremarkable. Ultrasonic examination revealed a well-defined mass of low echogenicity at the inferior pole of the right parotid gland, with no other abnormality reported in the neck or lymph nodes. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) examination was inconclusive on two occasions, even after ultrasonic guidance. A superficial parotidectomy was carried out with facial nerve preservation.

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