An unusual case with a missing parotid gland: A case report.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Pediatric Radiology
• Congenital Anomalies

Background:

• Unilateral or bilateral agenesis of the parotid gland is a rare congenital condition with an unknown cause.
• Fewer than 25 cases of unilateral salivary agenesis have been documented in medical literature.

Observation:

• A 4-year-old female child presented with tongue discoloration, prompting an MRI scan.
• MRI revealed a complete absence of the right parotid gland.

Findings:

• The study observed hypoplasia of the left parotid gland and hypertrophy of the left sublingual gland.
• This contralateral sublingual gland hypertrophy is an unusual finding, as compensatory hypertrophy of the contralateral parotid gland is typically reported.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of parotid gland agenesis spectrum.
• It highlights the importance of detailed imaging in diagnosing rare congenital salivary gland anomalies.
• Further research is needed to elucidate the etiology and developmental pathways of these conditions.