Parotitis history and symptoms

Overview
Parotitis is an inflammatory disorder of the salivary gland, or sialadenitis. It is most commonly infectious in etiology but can be autoimmune or neoplastic.

History and symptoms
The diagnosis is a clinical one. Imaging is usually reserved to assess for a complication such as abscess formation, invasion of the deep neck spaces, mediastinitis, jugular vein thrombosis or osteomyelitis of the mandible. Local invasion of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and thrombophlebitis of the retromandibular and facial veins have also been noted. Facial nerve dysfunction is rare and usually transient if the infection is treated. More prolonged palsy suggests neoplasm. Because of the underlying debility, the most worrisome complications are systemic and sepsis can rapidly develop. Chronic recurrent parotitis can occur as a separate entity or secondary to ductal stenosis from initial infection.