30th April 2024

A 16-year-old male presents with a 2-day history of fever, headache, and painful swelling of the left parotid gland.

A 16-year-old male presents with a 2-day history of fever, headache, and painful swelling of the left parotid gland. He reports difficulty in chewing and tenderness around the angle of the jaw. There is no history of recent vaccination. His temperature is 38.2°C, and physical examination confirms unilateral parotid gland enlargement.

Investigations:

Temperature: 38.2°C

Physical Examination: Unilateral parotid gland swelling, tenderness around the jaw

Which investigation is most appropriate for confirming the diagnosis?