From the Guidelines
The best diagnostic test for chronic parotitis is salivary gland ultrasound, which can help identify glandular inflammation, stones, and other abnormalities [ 1 ].
Key Diagnostic Tests
- A sialogram, which involves injecting a contrast dye into the salivary gland to visualize its ductal system, can also be useful in diagnosing chronic parotitis [ 1 ].
- In some cases, a fine-needle aspiration biopsy or a CT scan may be necessary to rule out other conditions, such as tumors or abscesses.
- Laboratory tests, including a complete blood count and blood chemistry tests, may also be ordered to evaluate overall health and rule out underlying conditions that may be contributing to the parotitis.
Additional Considerations
- MRI sialography may provide assessment of the parotid ducts complementary to anatomic MRI of the face or neck, if there is a clinical concern for acute parotitis in the setting of duct obstruction [ 1 ].
- US-guided fine-needle aspiration and US elastography are newer techniques currently being explored for evaluation of salivary pathology [ 1 ].
From the Research
Diagnostic Tests for Chronic Parotitis
The diagnosis of chronic parotitis can be facilitated by various laboratory and radiographic tools. Some of the diagnostic tests that have been studied include:
- Ultrasound: According to 2, ultrasound has been shown to be a reliable method for detecting chronic inflammatory processes in the parotid salivary glands. A scoping review 3 also concluded that ultrasound can be a valuable initial method for assessing major salivary gland diseases, including chronic sialadenitis.
- Sialography: 2 compared the diagnostic value of ultrasound and sialography in patients with chronic parotitis, and found that both methods were useful in detecting chronic inflammatory processes.
- Computerized Tomographic (CT) scan: 4 used a CT scan as part of the diagnostic workup for a patient with chronic parotitis.
- Salivary volume and chemistry: 4 also used salivary volume and chemistry tests to aid in the diagnosis of chronic parotitis.
- Medical and genetic counseling: 5 emphasized the importance of a complex approach to diagnosis, including medical and genetic counseling, to reduce diagnostic errors.
Comparison of Diagnostic Tests
While there is no single "best" diagnostic test for chronic parotitis, ultrasound appears to be a useful initial method for assessing major salivary gland diseases, including chronic sialadenitis 3. The choice of diagnostic test may depend on the specific clinical presentation and the availability of resources. A combination of diagnostic tests, including ultrasound, sialography, and laboratory tests, may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis of chronic parotitis 2, 4.