Sialadenosis of the parotid gland: report of four cases diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration cytology.

Four patients presented with a history of recurrent bilateral swellings of parotid glands. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) specimens showed highly cellular smears containing clusters of enlarged acini and numerous naked nuclei. A diagnosis consistent with sialadenosis was made considering the distinct morphologic appearance: micrometric measurements in all cases, in addition to histology and electron microscopy in two cases confirmed this hypothesis. A review of clinical histories revealed hormonal, nutritional and neurogenic disorders, which are known to be associated with sialadenosis. In the work-up of salivary gland swellings, it is important to recognize cytologically this underestimated entity, which does not necessarily require surgical treatment.