[Parotid diseases in high-resolution real-time-tomography].

Ultrasound examination of the parotid by grey-scale real time is a method which has hardly been used so far. By using a high resolution 5 MHz probe and a water bag, it is possible to obtain detailed information concerning the type, extent, margins and consistency of pathological changes in the parotid. The margins of benign lesions are always clearly defined, whereas malignant processes usually have ill-defined margins. Further differentiation is possible from the type of echo. Normal parotids have a homogeneous structure, similar to the thyroid, with a medium to bright grey-scale value; solid, cystic or inflammatory lesions present irregular or inhomogeneous structures. The sonographic appearances are illustrated by the findings in 43 patients and are compared with their histology.