Presentation
Bilateral non-tender cheek swellings in the first days of life.
Patient Data
No parotid tissue/lesion in the pre-auricular region bilaterally. Real-time ultrasound imaging reveals bilateral anterior protrusion of the parotid glands extending almost to the nasal-labial folds. Symmetry in terms of size and location of the glands is observed.
The glands exhibit predominantly homogeneous echogenicity and are hyperechoic compared to the adjacent masseter muscles. No intra-parotid lymph nodes or masses noted. No inflammatory features in either gland.
Case Discussion
This is a case of bilateral facial process of the parotid gland where bulk of the parotid tissue appears to be anteriorly positioned. Facial process is one anatomical variant of anterior protrusion of the parotid gland. The gland has a continuous anterior extension over the anterior edge of the ramus of the mandible.
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