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Parotid liposubstitution

Case contributed by Domenico Nicoletti
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Right parotid enlargement in a patient without any local or systemic diseases.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Female
mri

MRI neck with contrast

T1 axial sequences without contrast showing hyperintense and homogeneous signal from the right parotid while the T1 axial sequences with contrast and fat suppression show hypointense signal of the right parotid because the gland is replaced by fat tissue. The right submandibular salivary gland is hypotrophic however without lesions. On the left the salivary glands are normal.

Case Discussion

Parotid liposubstitution is a natural physiological process, like aging, however it is subject to variations if associated with clinical conditions, for example parotid liposubstitution in Sjögren's syndrome.

Case courtesy: Dr.ssa Sara Zanzani

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