Lesioni linfoproliferative benigne della parotide nelle infezioni da HIV

The authors investigated the role of ultrasonography (US) as the method of choice in diagnosing parotid lesions in HIV+ patients. Bilateral parotid gland enlargement associated with laterocervical lymph node enlargement is a sign of HIV infection. This pathologic condition is observed in 2-10% of seropositive patients. Histology demonstrates benign lymphoproliferative lesions referrable to immune system activation. Our series consisted of 37 HIV+ patients monitored with US for a year; all patients had cytologic confirmation of their disease, with needle biopsy in 9 patients and with MR studies in 4 patients. US showed focal solid lesions, with cystic and mixed appearance in the 26 adult subjects and gross parenchymal inhomogeneity in the 11 children; laterocervical lymph node enlargement was associated in 31 cases. In the only two cases with unilateral parotid involvement, an abscess and a lymphoma were diagnosed. To conclude, US findings in HIV+ patients, although aspecific, can help make the correct diagnosis, if they are integrated with the patient's history and clinical findings.