Trismus as the first manifestation of cholangiocarcinoma

2008

The initial presentation of a cholangiocarcinoma (CC) as trismus due to metastasis to the parotid gland is extremely rare and no previous reports have been found in the literature. A 29-year-old woman presented trismus that initiated 2 months before admission, just after superior left third molar extraction. Physical examination revealed severe trismus and a mass in the parotid gland. Computed tomography (CT) showed a heterogeneous mass in the left parotid gland. The next day she presented jaundice, bilirubinuria, and fever, followed by massive bleeding, intravascular disseminated coagulation, and respiratory insufficiency. Two days later she died. At autopsy, the parotid tumor was identifi…