False Positives

A great variety of head and neck conditions have the ability to mimic salivary gland pathology. Achievement of an accurate and definitive diagnosis is based on the ability of the investigator to use the available diagnostic armamentarium. Bringing analytic tools such as the patient’s history, physical and clinical examinations, imaging, evaluation of saliva, serology and histologic study into play will serve to differentiate a false/positive from a true salivary gland disorder. The false/positives in the head and neck area usually take the form of a tissue swelling or calcification. Because they are in close anatomic relationship with a salivary gland, diagnostic mistakes are common and patients are referred for needless therapy. Surprisingly, this cohort of misdirected and misdiagnosed patients represent the largest patient category seen in the Salivary Gland Center. A review of these false/positives will serve to alert the clinician and sharpen diagnostic skills.