Evaluation of the Parotid Gland

Abstract

This chapter describes the clinical, laboratory, imaging, endoscopic, and histological methods for evaluation of the parotid gland. Diagnostic approaches of parotid gland disorders include clinical evaluation in the form of history-taking (complaints, demographic data, medical profile, medications, and history of the parotid mass itself) and physical examination (intra-oral, extra-oral, and bidigital examination). Laboratory tests entail saliva collection for detection of changes in salivary flow and/or composition. Parotid gland imaging include plain x-ray, sialography, ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) scan and CT-sialography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and MR-sialography. Other studies include endoscopy (sialoendoscopy) and parotid biopsy (core-biopsy, frozen-section) and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).