CT of parotid tumors.

Computed tomographic (CT) appearances of 18 surgically proven parotid tumors were studied. Digital radiography (GE, ScoutView) was performed to select the desired gantry angulations and then plain CT and CT combined with sialography were performed. Plain CT clearly showed parotid tumors in nine of the patients. CT combined with sialography was more helpful than plain CT for delineating the tumors in the other patients who had either tumors in high-density parotid glands for tumors low density. CT allows more accurate evaluation of tumor location and extent in the parotid gland than any other method and helps distinguish malignant from benign lesions. The normal CT appearances of the parotid region are necessary for precise interpretation of CT images in this region.