Diagnosis of Heerfordt's syndrome by state-of-the-art ultrasound in combination with parotid biopsy: a case report

Eur Radiol. 2002 Jan;12(1):134-7. doi: 10.1007/s003300100879. Epub 2001 Apr 6.

Abstract

The parotid gland is rarely affected by sarcoidosis (6% of all cases). If there is initial parotitis, and other major symptoms include fever, uveitis, or facial paralysis, the condition is referred to as Heerfordt's syndrome. The case presented here describes the diagnostic work-up and differentiation of swelling of the parotid gland by employing state-of-the-art ultrasound techniques in a 33-year-old patient with Heerfordt's syndrome. Color-coded duplex ultrasound demonstrated hypervascularization. Tissue harmonic and photopic imaging ultrasound additionally depicted hypoechoic, septated structural lesions of the glandular parenchyma with an optimized contrast. Since such structural changes are not a specific sonographic criterion for sarcoidosis, ultrasound-guided biopsy was performed for further clarification of the etiology of parotitis and for excluding lymphoma. In conclusion, state-of-the-art ultrasound with the option of obtaining a biopsy at low risk is a useful procedure for diagnosing unclear pathology of the parotid gland with rapid histological confirmation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Parotid Gland / diagnostic imaging
  • Parotid Gland / pathology*
  • Ultrasonography / methods
  • Uveoparotid Fever / diagnosis*
  • Uveoparotid Fever / diagnostic imaging