If cytology of Warthin tumor is accurate, can management be conservative?

We conducted a retrospective study to assess the accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the diagnosis of Warthin tumor and to evaluate the subsequent risk of conservative nonsurgical management. We reviewed the records of 75 patients (76 tumors) with a parotid mass that had been diagnosed as a Warthin tumor by FNAC. This patient population was made up of 64 men and 11 women, aged 46 to 93 years (mean: 67). Of the 76 tumors, 40 were treated with surgical excision and 36 with conservative measures. Histology of the 40 excised parotid masses revealed that 38 (95%) were indeed Warthin tumors, 1 (2.5%) was a low-grade adenocarcinoma, and 1 was benign-not otherwise specified. None of the 36 tumors underwent malignant transformation either clinically or on repeat FNAC (if performed) during a follow-up of 4 to 120 months (mean: 55.5 ± 32.2). We conclude that conservative management of Warthin tumors confidently diagnosed on FNAC may be an option for patients who are unwilling or unable to undergo surgical excision.

An unusual cause of retention of urine after intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy for superficial bladder cancer.

We report an unusual complication of intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy for superficial bladder cancer, namely, retention of urine secondary to prostatic Bacillus Calmette-Guérin infection and abscess. A summary of the literature together with a review of its management is discussed.