Ultrasonographic features of recurrent parotitis in childhood.

Six children with recurrent parotitis were studied by ultrasound. Of the 12 parotid glands thus observed, 5 were swollen and 7 were not enlarged. Multiple round hypoechoic areas measuring 2-4 mm in diameter were seen in all 5 enlarged parotid glands and in 5 non-enlarged glands. These small hypoechoic areas were larger than the punctate pools of contrast medium shown by sialography. We consider that these hypoechoic areas represented both peripheral sialectasis and surrounding lymphocytic infiltration. We propose that ultrasonography may be useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of recurrent parotitis in childhood.