Malakoplakia presenting as an enlarging neck mass: Case presentation and review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
Malakoplakia is a very rare chronic inflammatory disorder, first described in 1902. In 75% of cases, the condition affects the genitourinary tract. Five cases of malakoplakia affecting the neck were previously reported in the literature.


RESULTS
An 83-year-old woman presented with an enlarging mass in the posterior triangle of the neck that was histologically confirmed as malakoplakia. Presenting features are often nonspecific, and the diagnosis is dependent on histological findings. The characteristic microscopic findings are of Michaelis-Gutmann (M-G) bodies that stain positive with periodic acid-Schiff reagent, von Kossa's reaction for calcium, and Perl's ferrocyanide reaction to ferric iron.


CONCLUSIONS
Although rare, a diagnosis of malakoplakia should be considered in patients with an enlarging mass. This may mimic the presentation of malignancy, particularly in patients in whom erosion through skin occurs, and histological confirmation is advocated.
Garg
Montey
M
Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom.
Eley
Karen A
KA
Bond
Stephen E
SE
Shah
Ketan A
KA
Browning
Lisa
L
Watt-Smith
Stephen R
SR
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008287:Malacoplakia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome