Evaluation of the parotid gland. Comparison of sialography, non-contrast computed tomography, and CT sialography.

Sialography, non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT), and CT sialography (CTS) were compared in 40 patients with parotid disease. While NCCT and CTS proved to be superior to sialography in most cases, with NCCT being as good as CTS for demonstration of parotid masses, sialography was preferred over both NCCT and CTS for evaluation of inflammatory disease. The role of percutaneous needle aspiration is discussed, and protocols for evaluation of both parotid masses and inflammatory disease are presented.