Sonoelastographic qualitative analysis for management of salivary gland masses.

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to investigate whether the use of a qualitative elasticity scoring method by sonoelastography is beneficial for management of salivary gland masses. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with salivary gland masses (30 parotid and 6 sub-mandibular) were prospectively included in this study. For each lesion, B-mode sonographic and sonoelastographic images were obtained. Elasticity scores were determined by a 4-point scoring method. Differences among scores for benign and malignant masses were assessed by the Mann-Whitney U test. Qualitative variables were compared by the Pearson χ² test. The findings were compared with histopathologic diagnoses. RESULTS: The score values of 28 benign masses ranged from 1 to 4, whereas the values of 8 malignant masses ranged from 2 to 4. The mean scores ± SD were 2.25 ± 0.92 for benign lesions and 3.0 ± 0.75 for malignant lesions (P < .05). When we considered scores 1 and 2 as benign and scores 3 and 4 as malignant, 10 false-positive results were determined by the 4-point scoring method, and 64.2% of benign masses were diagnosed. CONCLUSIONS: Sonoelastography might be regarded as another sonographic parameter for management of salivary gland masses in terms of detecting benign masses.

[A case of leech infestation mimicking upper respiratory tract infection]. / Üst Solunum Yolu Enfeksiyonunu Taklit Eden Bir Sülük Enfestasyonu Olgusu.

Urban life and industrialization leads to a decrease in the incidence of many parasitic diseases. Especially, using the supervised water supplies in urban areas decreases the chance of such infestations and limits it in rural areas. However, the people who live in urban areas and have diseases such as kidney stones think that mountain waters may be beneficial for their illness. These types of water supplies are generally unsafe, uncontrolled and septic. That is why usage of them can cause some elusive parasitic infestations in people who live in urban areas. It is meaningful to submit the case described below to illustrate the possibility of parasitic infestations in patients who have upper respiratory tract infection symptoms who are admitted to the physician.