Abstract：Objective: To evaluate the value of CT in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of parotid gland space occupied lesions. Methods: Fifty-one patients with proved parotid occupying lesions were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were scanned with plain CT and contrast CT. Results: There were 38 benign masses and 13 malignant lesions. Benign lesions demonstrated regular shape and clear margin. Among the 38 benign lesions pleomorphic adenomas(18/38) are most common, which were often found in the superficial lobe, with homogenous density; followed by adenolymphoma (10/38), which were often found in the posterior-inferior part of the parotid gland(9/10). There were 7 primary malignant lesions among the 13 malignant masses, which were often showed as irregular masses with unclear margin. The most common primary malignant lesions were mucoepidermoid carcinoma(5/7). Metastatic tumors often came from nasopharynx(5/6), which was easy to find enlarged lymph nodes and primary leisons. Conclusions: CT is sensitive in detecting and diagnosing the occupying lesions of the shallow lobe of parotid gland, it was not good enough to detect or diagnose the occupying lesions of the deep lobe and lesions with infection.
2008, Vol. 19 
