Marco Di Girolamo MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Raffaela Di Nardo, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Pietro Marziale, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Carmelo Rende, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

FrancescoMaria Drudi, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Vincenzo David, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the role of sonography (US) in the evaluation of parotid gland alterations in HIV+ children, in order to show their presence, severity, specificity, relationship with clinical and laboratory data and sensitivity to new drugs.

From June 2000 to December 2000 twenty-two consecutive HIV+ children (12 males and 10 females, mean age 9.7) undergone HAART were examined with US prospectively. A multi-frequency linear probe (7.5-10 MHz) was used for the examination. As sonographic findings we considered hypoechoic foci, hyperechoic striae, lympho-epithelial cysts and solid nodules. We also considered alterations in gland volume, vasculature, and the enlargement of intraparotid and adjacent lymphonodes. The US findings on HIV+ patients were compared with clinical and laboratory data and with US exams performed on HIV-negative children. Finally, we made a comparison with US exams performed on the same patients before HAART.

In HIV+ children the most frequent US findings were hypoechoic foci (68.2% of patients), hyperechoic striae (68.2%) and the enlargement of intraparotid and adjacent lymphonodes (86.3% and 95.4%, respectively). No relationship between US outline and clinical and laboratory data was found. In the control group (HIV-negative children) hypoechoic foci and hyperechoic striae were rare (4.7% and 14.3%, respectively), while the enlargement of intraparotid and adjacent lymphonodes was very common (76.2% and 100%, respectively). The comparison with US exams performed on the same patients before HAART showed an improvement in 59.1% of patients, the same findings in the 13.6% and a worsening in the 13.6% (3 patients were lost in the follow-up).

US is useful in the study of parotid gland alterations in HIV+ children. The most frequent and specific US findings were hypoechoic foci and hyperechoic striae; vicecersa the enlargement of intraparotid and adjacent lymphonodes was frequent but completely aspecific. The results analysis didn’t show any relationship between US findings and clinical and laboratory data. The HAART can be correlated to an improvement and/or a stabilization of the US pattern in the most patients.

Di Girolamo, M, Di Nardo, R, Marziale, P, Rende, C, Drudi, F, David, V, Role of Sonography in the Evaluation of Parotid Gland in HIV+ Children Undergone Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).  Radiological Society of North America 2004 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2004 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2004/4415535.html