Diagnostic echography in tumefactions of the parotid space

: The reliability of the echographic approach to the diagnosis of expansive lesions of the parotid area has been evaluated by comparing in 45 patients the echographic data with the results of the clinical and/or histopathological investigations. There was a satisfactory agreement between conclusions based on the two approaches. In particular, echography was able to differentiate between: (a) intra- and extraglandular nodules; (b) diffuse and focal involvement of the gland and, (c) malignant and nonmalignant proliferative processes.