Fine-Needle Detection of Cytomegalovirus Parotitis in a Patient With Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Parotid enlargement is common in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1. We present a case of cytomegalovirus infection of the parotid gland in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. This case is notable because fine-needle aspiration provided the diagnosis. We therefore present a quick and inexpensive method of detecting a potentially fatal infection that has previously been unrecognized by the medical community.