Ultrasound findings in HIV-positive patients with parotid gland swellings.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to determine the role that ultrasound might play in evaluating parotid swellings in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 disease.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The parotid glands of 13 HIV-positive patients, who were previously diagnosed as seropositive and who were referred because they had unilateral or bilateral parotid gland swellings, were examined sonographically.

RESULTS

All patients showed multiple and varied parotid sonolucent areas bilaterally. These patterns reflected the presence of lymphoepithelial cysts, intraparotid lymphadenopathies, and parenchymal lymphoproliferation.

CONCLUSION

Because parotid swellings can represent early clinical evidence of HIV disease, comprehensive gland evaluation is mandatory. Ultrasound offers a simple, rapid imaging technique to ascertain the nature of the glandular pathology.