We report the imaging findings in a rare case of an accessory parotid gland fistula.

We report a case of an accessory submandibular gland and duct which is extremely rare.

Material and methods: A 20-year-old male presented with complaints of painful swelling in the right submandibular region. As a part of the radiological investigation, a radiograph occlusal view was taken digital sialography, magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance sialography were performed.

Results: Digital sialography revealed a small calculus distal to the punctum with diffuse dilatation of the main duct and intraglandular branches, which passed out spontaneously prior to magnetic resonance examination. The presence of an accessory submandibular duct was well delineated on both digital as well as magnetic resonance sialography.

Conclusions: Magnetic resonance sialography is helpful in delineating the anatomy of the submandibular duct non-invasively and without associated radiation exposure. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of magnetic resonance identifying an accessory submandibular duct and gland.

Chronic parotitis is an insidious inflammatory disorder, which is characterized by a recurrent, often painful, swelling of the gland or glands. Sialography remains the investigation of choice. Diagnostic siladenoscopy may complement or supersede sialography as the diagnostic procedure of choice, as more experience is gained in this technique and its use becomes more widespread. The management options are conservative or surgical, but controversy exists regarding the timing and method of surgical intervention. The surgical methods that have been described include injection of methyl violet – a sclerosing agent, ductal ligation, ductoplasty, tympanic neurectomy, and parotidectomy. Parotidectomy is considered the ultimate surgical option but because of its significant morbidity the exact technique and procedure that should be used remains contentious.

Pneumoparotitis is a rare cause of parotid enlargement. It is due to a reflux of air through Stensen's duct into the acini of the parotid gland with subsequent dilatation. We report a case which followed a long history of autoinflation of the middle ears by the Valsalva manoeuvre. The plain radiographic, sialographic and ultrasound findings are presented.