Question: I had a CT of my neck for recurrent parotid gland swelling. The report indicated extra soft tissue stranding into the subcutaneous tissue, consistent with inflammation of the parotid gland. What does soft tissue stranding mean? What is the next step?

Thank you for the response.

The swelling is bilateral and began about 6 weeks ago and was accompanied with cold/flu like symptoms. I was fatigued and did not feel well, mild sore throat. The doctor did CBC with all normal (excellent) results, ANA and rheumatoid factor were both negative. I am in good health otherwise. Her initial treatment was to let it run it's course without antibiotics and indicated it may be anxiety related....

After the swelling recurring, going down, and returning over the following month, 3 weeks ago, she prescribed the antibiotics which did not seem to initially work.

The CT was then ordered. The CT report stated:
There are extra soft tissue strands extending into the adjacent subcutaneous tissues. There is no evidence of any adenopathy or masses otherwise. The visualized thoracic inlet is negative. The visualized brain appears normal. There are changes of degenerative disk disease in the cervical spine. no other bony abnormality is seen. Extra soft tissue strands about both parotid glands consistent with inflammation of both parotid glands.
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The antibiotic dose was lengthened. The swelling is almost gone, but seems to occur at night, but quickly resolves in the morning with a hot shower. The cold/flu symptoms are gone, but some fatigue still lingers. There is very infrequent mild pain at the back of the jaw when it is swollen. I still have 2 more days of antibiotics and it seems to be going away.

Is there any potential underlying causes I may want to have investigated? My doctor suggests assuming it is resolved and see if it recurs. The bilateral nature concerns me somewhat, but if there are no further symptoms, may I reasonably believe it is not some other underlying cause?

Thank you!