The salivary gland neoplasm which characteristically spreads perineurally along the caranial nerves is

.ADENOID CYSTIC CARCINOMA (10% of salivary tumours) * It is common in submandibular and minor salivary glands. * It consists of myoepithelial cells and duct epithelial cells with cribriform or lace like appearance. * It involves facial nerve very early, spreads through the perineural sheath and infiltrates into the perineural tissues over a long distance, more proximally. * It also invades periosteum and bone medulla early and spreads extensively. * Prognosis is poor. * Radical parotidectomy and radical radiotherapy is the treatment of choice. ref:SRB&;s manual of surgery,ed 3,pg no 369