Surgical resection of a parotid gland hemangioma in teenager managed with external carotid artery ligation

Abstract

Parotid gland hemangiomas represent <0.6% of the total tumors of the gland and there are <50 tumors reported during adult age, so there is no standard treatment. A 18-year-old female presents with a mass in the right parotid gland of 18 months of a slow progressive asymptomatic growth; on physical examination, only the mass was detected. An angiography was performed, and it reported a possible hemangioma that depends on the right internal maxillary artery and right facial artery and was not suitable for embolization. Total parotidectomy was performed with prior ligation of the right external carotid artery, complete resection was achieved and preservation of the facial nerve and all branches with minimal loss of blood (150 cc). External carotid artery ligation is a safe technique that can be considered in carefully selected patients with vascular tumors that affect the head and neck to achieve a clean and safe surgery with minimal sequels.