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The disease of the salivary gland in which sialograms reveal a shadow of the gland having spots arranged regularly has been referred to as teleangiectasis cystica parotidi (dilatation of the terminal portion of the intralobular ducts). Thirty-eight cases (63 sides) of teleangiectasis cystica parotidi were studied: 28 cases in which onset of the disease was before 20 years of age were classified as group I, and 10 cases (20 sides) in which the onset was after 30 years as group II. Males and females were equally represented in group I, while all were females in group II. Clinical picture of the disease was characterized by recurrent swelling of the parotid gland, with long or short intervals. A sialogram of the gland, if it has pinpoints or small round spots arranged regularly (type VII_2 shadow of the gland), representing the dilated intralobular ducts filled with contrast medium, will give diagnosis. Histologic sections reveal large dilated terminal portions of the intralobular ducts, surrounded by the lymphatic tissue and degenerated and atrophied glandular cells. The interlobular connective tissue shows variable degrees of proliferation. Typical dilatation may rise from the retraction of surrounding tissue after substitution of the glandular cells through lymphatic tissue. Atypical dilatation may develop from the invasion of the epithelium into the cavities of multiple abscess after drainage of pus through the ductal system. In the sialograms (type I or III), dilatations appear as dots which are not sharply defined. The glandular function is normal. In case the condition is prolonged, shadow of the gland will turn to that of type V, and dilatations appear as well-defined small round spots or larger spots. Without intervening inflammation, the glandular cells show a tendency to lipomatosis. The gland cells are destructed through the supervening inflammation, and substituted by the connective tissue.

The glands diminish in size; their function is markedly disturbed or they cease to function at all. The injection of adequate antibiotics and X-ray irradiation may be of value as a remedy. In case the condition is not cured by these treatments, conservative parotidectomy is recommended.