Background <p>Parotid gland juvenile capillary hemangioma (PJCH) is a rare vascular tumor primarily affecting infants. Early and accurate imaging diagnosis is essential for guiding appropriate treatment, yet radiologic descriptions remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the CT and MRI features of PJCH to improve diagnostic accuracy and clinical decision-making.</p> Methods <p>We retrospectively analyzed 35 infants and young children (15 males, 20 females) with histologically confirmed PJCH treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2008 and January 2023. All patients underwent preoperative imaging—CT (n = 13) or MRI (n = 22)—which was independently reviewed by two experienced radiologists.</p> Results <p>All presented with painless, unilateral parotid masses. Lesions were centered in the superficial lobe and frequently extended into the deep lobe (80%). Margins were well-defined in 94%, and shapes were predominantly lobulated (63%) or oval/round (37%). CT revealed soft tissue density masses with homogeneous enhancement (mean 36.4 ± 5.9 HU pre-contrast; up to 123 HU post-contrast). On MRI, lesions showed iso- to slightly hypointense T1WI signals and marked hyperintensity on T2WI. Vascular flow voids and intense, uniform enhancement were typical. In five cases, MRA revealed feeding arteries or draining veins. Histopathology confirmed lobulated capillary proliferation with variable vascular lumina.</p> Conclusions <p>PJCH commonly presents as a solitary, well-circumscribed parotid mass in infants. Characteristic imaging findings—T2WI hyperintensity, prominent flow voids, and strong enhancement—combined with clinical context, facilitate accurate, noninvasive diagnosis and help optimize treatment strategies.</p> Clinical trial number <p>Not applicable.</p>