Computed tomography and sialography of chronic pyogenic parotitis

We performed Computed Tomography (CT) immediately following, or simultaneous with, conventional sialography on a group of 45 patients with parotid gland swellings over a two-year period. Tumours occurred in eight, sarcoidosis in 22, actinomycosis in two and chronic pyogenic parotitis in 13 patients. In the latter group, there were two cases of bilateral disease, for a total of 15 glands. The sialographic and the combined CT-sialographic features were retrospectively analysed. In all cases, ductal pathology was more severe in the main and proximal branches, was better demonstrated on conventional sialography and was diagnostic in 10/14 glands (71%). CT-sialography was the superior modality in the evaluation of the gland parenchyma and the adjacent structures, demonstrating diagnostic features of infection in 8/14 glands (57%). However, a combination of both modalities presented a consistent pattern of infection in all cases, distinctive from tumours and sarcoidosis. CT-directed aspiration was performed on the four glands which were equivocal on conventional sialography, and two of these underwent a simultaneous aspiration-irrigation with antibiotics. Although this report is based on a limited experience, CT-sialography with aspiration appears to be an interventional radiological alternative to the traditional diagnostic superficial parotidectomy. Ultrasonography (two cases) and nuclear scintigraphy (one case) added little useful information in chronic pyogenic parotitis.