Parotitis refers to any inflammatory process affecting the parotid glands. It can be acute, chronic, focal, diffuse, unilateral or bilateral.
Parotitis may be part of generalised sialadenitis or may occur on its own.
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Pathology
Unilateral
More common and often from infection/inflammation which in turn in some cases may be related to a distal obstructing calculus (sialolithiasis)
Bilateral
Bilateral involvement is less common and includes:
inflammation or infection (usually more systemic and viral (mumps)
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autoimmune disease
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granulomatous disease
underlying neoplastic diseases
lymphoproliferative conditions
mucosa-associated lymphoid
pseudolesion
Specific subtypes
Radiographic features
Ultrasound
It often shows an enlarged parotid gland with altered echotexture. Vascularity may or may not be present dependent on acute/chronic nature. Small cystic spaces may present. Ultrasound can also sometimes show an underlying cause such as calculus or an associated lesion.
CT
enlargement of parotid gland
increased attenuation of parotid gland
heterogenous enhancement
dilated central ducts
enhancing ductal wall
Complication
abscess formation
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