Computed tomography in the diagnosis of parotid gland tumours

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Abstract
Twenty patients with swelling of the parotid region were examined by computed tomography (CT). CT correctly demonstrated a mass in 11 patients and correctly excluded a mass in 9 patients. Five patients had primary parotid neoplasms, all of which showed higher attenuation values than normal salivary tissue. The other masses included cystic hygroma, branchial cyst, carotid sheath hamartoma and metastases in the region of the gland. Neither i.v. nor intraglandular contrast medium was necessary for diagnosis. CT is superior to sialography in demonstrating the total extent of a mass, particularly when there is involvement of the deep lobe of the gland or the parapharyngeal space. The appearance at CT following sialography with oily contrast media suggests that oil persists in the gland despite apparent complete clearing at sialography. CT should be regarded as the investigation of choice in patients with clinical features suggesting a mass in the region of the parotid.

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