Sarcoidosis of the parotid gland

The clinical and radiological features of parotid-gland sarcoidosis in 22 patients are presented. This occurred in association with systemic disease as painless, diffuse and nonnodular parotid swelling. Conventional sialography usually demonstrated normal proximal ducts, a few fragile distal ducts and non-specific parenchymal nodules. Computed tomography, with or without simultaneous sialography, defined and characterised such nodules and demonstrated normal periparotid anatomy. Sialography contributes little additional information to thorough clinical examination in non-nodular or multinodular glands. However, solitary nodules appear to be better investigated by sialography, CT and CT-guided aspiration, thereby allowing diagnosis and direct medical therapy and avoiding surgery. Ultrasonography and nuclear scintigraphy were of little value in this study.