Malignancy of the parotid gland with primary symptoms of a temporomandibular disorder

The purpose of this case report is to highlight the possibility that malignant neoplasms of the deep lobe of the parotid gland may present as a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). Two patients who were eventually diagnosed with deep-lobe parotid tumors were retrospectively analyzed clinically, radiographically, and pathologically. For the first patient, there was a prolonged delay in establishing the correct diagnosis; for the second patient the delay was shorter. This was done primarily by computed tomographic examination. Despite aggressive surgical, radiotherapeutic, and chemotherapeutic treatment, both patients died from their malignant disease. All clinicians who treat TMD must be aware of the rare possibility of deep-lobe parotid tumors presenting as a TMD.