CT sialography, Part II: Parotid masses.

The advent of CT sialography has significantly altered the investigation of parotid masses. Conventional radiography had been limited by its inability to display soft tissue detail. While CT demonstrated soft tissue structures extremely well, limitations to visualizing parotid parenchyma itself were noted. Many of these limitations could be resolved if a sialographic contrast medium were utilized. Mass lesions can be directly visualized, such that size, location, and extent can be noted. Extrinsic or intrinsic etiology can be assessed. Descriptions of tumor morphology may be related to clinical aggressiveness. Mass locations may be correlated to the facial nerve and surgical landmarks. Adjacent tissue planes and lymph nodes are assessed. Examples of various types of parotid masses are illustrated.