Parotitis

Parotitis is an inflammation of one or both parotid glands, the major salivary glands located on either side of the face, in humans. The parotid gland is the salivary gland most commonly affected by inflammation.

Causes

Parotitis is most often caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Dehydration, which can occur in those who are critically ill from other causes, can cause parotitis. Other causes include local autoimmune phenomena, as in Sjögren's syndrome, and obstruction of the parotid duct, either by a salivary stone (a sialolith) or a tumor.

Symptoms

Symptoms of parotitis can include: swelling of the face, pain in the face that may be worsened by eating, fever, and a foul-tasting fluid in the mouth.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of parotitis is made on the basis of the clinical presentation, and can be confirmed by sending a sample of the fluid expressed from the parotid duct for culture.

Treatment

Treatment of parotitis is determined by the cause. If the cause is bacterial, then antibiotics are usually prescribed. If the cause is viral, then the treatment is supportive (pain control and hydration). If the cause is an obstruction, then the obstruction is usually removed.

See also

• Mumps
• Sialadenitis
• Sjögren's syndrome

References

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• Illustration of parotitis by Hari Adhi
  Illustration of parotitis by Hari Adhi
• 
  Anatomical diagram from Gray's Anatomy