Benign lymphoepithelial parotid lesions in vertically HIV-infected patients.

Benign lymphoepithelial parotid lesions (BLL) are frequently reported in HIV-infected patients, although their clinical and prognostic significance in HIV infection has not been clearly defined. Ultrasonography (USG) has been shown to be a reliable method in monitoring the progression of such lesions. The purpose of this study was to describe the spectrum of sonographic and Doppler findings and to monitor any clinically evident physical change of parotid glands in a cohort of congenitally HIV-infected patients taking antiretroviral therapy. USG findings—based on their severity—have been grouped in three different patterns (0, 1, 2). Our cohort consisted of 51 patients with HIV in various Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stages and being given different antiretroviral protocols. The median USG follow-up was 36 months. The most frequent USG pattern was aspecific parotid gland enlargement (type 0, 45,1%). Patients with either lower CD4+ % (p < 0.20) and higher absolute and percent CD8+ cell count (p < 0.001...