Evaluation of Parotid Lesions

Edward C Kuan; Jon Mallen-St Clair; Maie A St John

doi:10.1016/j.otc.2015.10.004

Evaluation of Parotid Lesions

Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2016 Apr;49(2):313-25. doi: 10.1016/j.otc.2015.10.004. Epub 2016 Feb 20.

Authors

Edward C Kuan¹, Jon Mallen-St Clair¹, Maie A St John²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
² Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Head and Neck Cancer Program, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address: MstJohn@mednet.ucla.edu.

PMID: 26902978
DOI: 10.1016/j.otc.2015.10.004

Abstract

The differential diagnosis of a parotid lesion is broad, and the otolaryngologist must consider inflammatory, neoplastic, autoimmune, traumatic, infectious, or congenital causes. A comprehensive history and physical examination, in conjunction with judicious use of radiographic imaging (MRI, computed tomography, ultrasonography, nuclear medicine studies), laboratory studies, and pathologic analysis (fine-needle aspiration, core biopsy, incisional biopsy), facilitates making an accurate diagnosis. This article reviews the key history and physical elements and adjunctive diagnostic tools available for working up parotid lesions.

Keywords: Biopsy; Malignancy; Mass; Parotid; Radiology.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Biopsy, Fine-Needle
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Parotid Gland / diagnostic imaging*
Parotid Gland / pathology*
Parotid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
Parotid Neoplasms / pathology*
Physical Examination
Positron-Emission Tomography
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Ultrasonography, Interventional