Juvenile hemangioma (infantile hemangioendothelioma) of the parotid gland associated with cytomegalovirus infection

A case of parotid juvenile hemangioma associated with cytomegalovirus infection is reported. A growing lobulated mass, measuring 30 x 20 mm, was extirpated from the left parotid gland in a 4-month-old male. Histologically, the tumor consisted of cellular plump endothelial cells, stromal cells and residual ductal and acinar elements of the parotid gland. Numerous intranuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions were observed in the ductal cells of the whole parenchymal part of the parotid gland and the residual part of the tumor. Immunohistochemically, some nuclei of the ductal cells possessing these inclusions were positive for the anti-cytomegalovirus antibody but there were no positive findings in the endothelial or stromal cells. Although the present lesion may suggest that the human cytomegalovirus plays some role in the etiology of juvenile hemangioma, it is unknown whether or not this association is incidental.