Pediatric Parotid Region Lesions: An Imaging Review

A wide spectrum of pathologies may affect the parotid gland and periparotid region in children. Inflammatory processes, congenital anomalies, and benign neoplasms are the more commonly encountered entities; primary and metastatic malignancies are relatively rare. Sonography and contrast-enhanced CT and MR imaging are the primary imaging modalities for evaluating facial swelling in a child. We reviewed the clinical presentations and multimodality imaging features of processes that affect this region in children and emphasized more specific imaging characteristics that can help differentiate similar-appearing lesions. Correlation of key clinical and imaging characteristics can allow radiologists to provide a succinct differential diagnosis and guide appropriate therapy.

Learning Objective: Recognize and give a differential diagnosis for the more common inflammatory, congenital, and neoplastic processes that affect the pediatric parotid gland and periparotid region.