Sialadenitis

Sialadenitis is the inflammation and enlargement of one or several major salivary glands. It most commonly affects parotid and submandibular glands.

Bacterial infection can occur if salivary flow is diminished by illness or medication, or is obstructed by a sialolith (salivary stone). Most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus.

Intermittent painless unilateral or bilateral swellings without accompanying signs of infection may be idiopathic or due to an underlying condition, such as ductal stenosis or autoimmune disease.

Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis presents as a painless unilateral swelling that can mimic tumours. Biopsy is required for diagnosis.

Airway compromise is an important potential consequence of acute glandular swelling.

Sialadenitis denotes inflammation and swelling of the parotid, submandibular, sublingual, or minor salivary glands. Aetiology includes bacterial or viral infection, obstruction, radiotherapy damage, or autoimmune causes. Acute bacterial sialadenitis is characterised by rapid onset of pain and swelling. In contrast, chronic sialadenitis is characterised by intermittent, recurrent episodes of tender swelling. Painless swellings (unless secondarily infected) classically occur in autoimmune sialadenitis (i.e., Sjogren syndrome) and may be unilateral or bilateral. Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis (Kuttner's tumour) is typically unilateral and may mimic a tumour.