Parotid liposubstitution is a fatty degeneration of the parotid gland, which sometimes increases in volume as a result.
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Epidemiology
Associations
Parotid liposubstitution is physiological with age but may be associated with local or systemic conditions including:
hypertriglyceridemia may be associated with fat infiltration without inflammatory activity
adnexectomy for decreased ovarian hormones
Sjögren's syndrome, for adipose degeneration and lymphocytic infiltration
HIV: fat infiltration, lymphocytic aggregates, lymphoepithelial cysts or lymphadenopathy
excess alcohol use
aging: increase in lipids and degeneration of secretory granules
Clinical presentation
Patients are asymptomatic or present with xerostomia.
Radiographic features
MRI
MRI demonstrates the fat deposits in the parotids:
T1 and T2: high signal
T1 and T2 fat suppression: low signal
T1 C+ (Gd): no significant enhancement
Treatment and prognosis
Parotid liposubstitution does not itself require treatment.