Tuberculosis of the parotid gland—diagnosis by CT

Abstract

A case of parenchymal and intraparotid lymph node tuberculosis is reported in a young Asian male. The diagnosis was suggested pre-operatively by the contrast enhanced CT (CECT) appearance. There were no systemic symptoms of tuberculosis and this is a characteristic feature of the 100 cases reported in the literature. The presence of thick walled rim enhancing lesions with a central lucency on CECT should suggest the diagnosis. Filling defects with or without thin walls are non-specific findings and are seen in tumours and other inflammatory processes. In an appropriate clinical setting, thick walled round rim enhancing lesions with a central lucency are characteristic of tuberculosis.