Parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma mimicking a large mucocele

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is a malign tumor involving the parotid gland and minor salivary glands. Parotid pure cystic mucoepidermoid carcinoma can also masquerade mucocele, and hence, histopathological examination is crucial to distinguish the 2. Herein, the authors report a patient of mucoepidermoid carcinoma presenting as an asymptomatic mucocele-like cystic parotid mass. A 69-year-old female presented with cystic parotid mass; her examination findings and diagnostic imaging were consistent with that of mucocele. Histological examination revealed mucoepidermoid carcinoma. This case indicates that parotid mucocele-like cysts should be included in the differential diagnosis of malign salivary gland tumors.