Candidal abscess of the parotid gland associated with facial nerve paralysis.

Facial nerve paralysis associated with parotid gland mass is usually caused by malignant neoplasms and facial nerve dysfunction due to parotid infection is exceedingly rare. A review of the literature revealed approximately 15 cases of facial nerve palsy associated with suppurative parotitis or parotid abscess. We report the first case of candidal abscess of the parotid gland associated with facial nerve paralysis in a 74-year-old insulin-dependent diabetic patient. The differential diagnosis in these unusual cases occurring in diabetic, immunodeficient patients should include Candida albicans infection.