Serology should be a routine investigation when presented with a major salivary gland lump

Intraglandular toxoplasmic lymphadenitis of the parotid gland

Most preauricular masses are parotid neoplasms; however, some infectious and inflammatory causes may exhibit similar presentation. Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide parasitary disease. The clinical presentation of toxoplasmosis is mostly asymptomatic and may include subfebrile fever, fatigue, and lymphadenopathy. Only 13 clinical reports of intraglandular toxoplasmic lymphadenitis have been previously reported in the English literature. A careful history and examination with appropriate investigations, including immunoglobulin G avidity assay, will frequently provide the diagnosis of intraparotid toxoplasmosis. Surgery might therefore have been delayed or avoided depending on a satisfactory clinical improvement in consequence of proper medical treatment.

Intraglandular toxoplasmosis of the parotid gland pre- or postoperative diagnosis?

Toxoplasmosis is an ubiquitous protozoan infection, caused by the coccidian Toxoplasma gondii. It usually presents clinically with lymphadenopathy, mainly in the head and neck region. However, in the English literature, very scarce cases of intraparotid Toxoplasma exist, none having been diagnosed preoperatively. In this article, we present 2 cases of intraglandular parotid toxoplasmosis, one diagnosed postoperatively and the other preoperatively. We also review the relevant literature concerning Toxoplasma infection of the parotid gland.