Non-neoplastic disorders of the parotid gland.

The parotid glands are subject to many pathological disorders other than neoplastic diseases. This large group of disorders is classified for the parotid glands into infectious, metabolic and endocrine, traumatic, congenital, and acquired cystic diseases. The other major salivary glands also can be affected by many of these conditions. In recent years more and more patients have been examined and treated who have had diseases classified according to our concepts. Surgical procedures are now commonly recommended for these groups of patients not only for diagnosis but for treatment as well. The microscopic examination of permanently prepared, stained excised tissues still remains the final diagnostic procedure in most patients in spite of more recently developed diagnostic techniques. Further, the well trained surgeon of today is in a position to assure the patient that permanent injury to the facial nerve trunk or to its branches is only a remote possibility. Lastly, our medical and surgical experiences are discussed in the following groups of patients: those with acute suppurative sialadenitis, those with acute abscess, those with chronic obstructive and non-obstructive sialadenitis, those with traumatic lesions, those with congenital lesions, and those with acquired cystic lesions.