Twenty-three patients with mass in parotid gland were examined with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The confirmed diagnoses were pleomorphic adenoma (9 cases), primary malignant tumor (3 cases), vascular malformation (3 cases), post operative scar (3 cases), parotid glandular lymphadenopathy (2 cases), lipoma (1 cases), neurofibroma (1 cases), and chronic organizing abscess (1 case). Pleomorphic adenomas appeared as well-marginated lobulating masses with multi-compartment by internal fibrous septa. Most pleomorphic adenomas showed low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images. Malignant tumors showed slightly high signal intensity on T2-weighted images but were less intense in signal intensity compated with that of benign tumors. One case of chronic abscess showed MR signal intensity similar to the malignant tumor. The lesions were clearly delineated on pre-contrast T1-weighted images in all cases. Gd-DTPA enhancement was helpful n characterizing the nature of the mass, but had limited diagnostic value in delineating the lesion from the surrounding normal tissue.