[Computertomography of the parotid gland (author's transl)]

In the first computer-tomographic investigations of the parotis epithelial and mesenchymal tumours histologically ascertained were examined as well as a sialadenitis. For the first time the non invasive computer-tomography allows to demonstrate directly the glandular body morphologically-quantitatively in the macroscopic area and topographically clear in the transverse tomogram. In the face of tumours of the lateral part of the gland, easily to access from the clinical diagnostic point of view, the computer-tomogram can improve pretherapeutically the differential diagnosis to a great extent by additional morphological-quantitative information about the macroscopic possibility to palpate the borders of a tumour, depth of expansion, and tissue structure, the mixed tumour, in particular, seems to have an absorption pattern relatively appropriate to computer-tomography as a result of its different tissue formation, calciferous histopathologic in part, often sealed off macroscopicly. The case observed displays a well-developed annular capsule structure with massive deposits of calciferous substance as a prominent computer-tomographic feature (histological: fibrohyaline capsule). The degree of correlation between the histopathologic and computer-tomographic appearance and its differential diagnostic value is to be checked by further investigation. The hidden tumours of the deep tissue parts, of the processus parapharyngeus, in particular, will be realized earlier by computer-tomography than by conventional diagnostic methods. In order to exclude deficiency symptoms of the nervus facialis a computer-tomography of the parotis is indicated in neurological and otological cases of doubt for a direct demonstration of the deep tissue part with processus parapharyngeus. By means of computer-tomography a growth of parotid tumours affecting other organs can be realized directly in the macroscopic area, and even in good time in the direction of the spatium parapharyngeum. In view of parotid tumour diagnosis orientated topographically and based on the TNM system computer-tomography makes a more exact realization of the T categories possible; therefore, a further subordination of the key of localisation for clinical trials is suggested.