Parotid gland anatomy and pathophysiology of parotitis are described. Parotitis is inflammation of the parotid gland most commonly caused by viral or bacterial infection when saliva production is decreased. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and pus draining from the parotid duct. Diagnosis involves medical history, physical exam, and imaging tests. Treatment ranges from conservative measures like antibiotics, heat therapy and increased fluids to surgery in severe cases. Complications are rare if treated properly.

1. Parotid Gland Anatomy
Parotid duct over maxillary second molar

2. nd supply motor innervation to the muscles of facial expression, as well as to the postauricula

4. Pathophysiology
• decreased salivary production or an impedance of
its delivery.
• failure of sufficient ductal lavage by saliva
facilitates an ascending duct infection from the
oral cavity.
• infection results in immune/inflammatory response

5. Causes
• Viral infection from: HIV, Mumps
• Bacterial infection from:
• medications that cause dry mouth. When your flow of saliva is reduced, bacteria can
collect and grow in the Parotid duct.
• Dehydration
• poor oral hygiene
• Sialoliths
• Sjögren's syndrome
• tumor - can block the flow of saliva (usually not cancerous)
• Pneumoparotitis - air gets into the ducts of the parotid gland, most commonly occurs in
wind instrument players, glass blowers, and scuba divers.

6. Findings
• Subjective:
• oral or facial pain, especially when eating
• abnormal, foul tastes
• dry mouth
• fever may be present
• Objective:
• facial asymmetry caused by unilateral parotid gland swelling
• Palpation reveals that the swelling is tender and indurated and follows the anatomical contour of
the parotid gland.
• erythema over skin overlying the glands
• Intraorally, a flow of saliva mixed with pus will be seen exiting from the involved parotid duct orifice
when the gland is forcefully massaged.

7. Diagnosis
• Med Hx (medications, Sjögren's, HIV)
• Physical exam (pain, swelling, purulence, dry
mouth)
• Radiographs: PA, Pano, or CT

8. nd black arrow indicates a ghost image of the radiopacity on the right side appearing higher and more blurred than its source on the left side. B. Th
Imaging Sci Dent. 2013 Sep;43(3):163-169. English.
Published online Sep 23, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.5624/isd.2013.43.3.163

9. Figure 1 Chronic parotitis in the left parotid gland. The computerized tomographic scan demonstrates increased parenchymal density of
the left parotid gland (arrow) compared with the right parotid gland.
LOUIS MANDEL , ERIN LEIGH WITEK
Chronic parotitis : Diagnosis and treatment
The Journal of the American Dental Association, Volume 132, Issue 12, 2001, 1707 - 1711
http://dx.doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2001.0125

10. An oropharyngeal examination reveals dry oral mucosa and swelling adjacent to the right parotid
papilla, with no saliva expressed from the orifice (Panel A, arrow).
Maxillofacial computed tomography showed changes consistent with inflammation in the parotid
gland and surrounding tissues, with marked dilatation of the parotid duct (Panel B, red arrow) and
a small calcified mass (Panel B, white arrow) proximal to the duct orifice.
Susarla, Peacock, M.D., D.M.D. Obstructive Parotitis. N Engl J Med 2012; 366:2305. June 14, 2012 DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm1113977

11. Treatment
• In some cases, no treatment is needed.
• Conservative/Palliative treatment:
• good oral hygiene (can add Peridex if needed)
• stimulate glands by chewing sugarless chewing gum or sour candy (sugarless lemon drops)
• massage the gland with heat
• increased fluid intake
• Antibiotics may be helpful.
• Avoid tobacco
• Analgesics if needed
• In severe cases: superficial parotid lobectomy

13. Complications
• Prognosis: good! Treatments for most salivary
gland infections will go away on their own or are
cured with treatment. Complications are not
common.
• Possible Complications:
• Infection recurs
• Abscess of salivary gland
• spread of infection (cellulitis, Ludwig's angina)

14. Conclusion
• Dentists are in the unique position to diagnose a
patient with Chronic Parotitis.
• The ability to perform a thorough clinical
examination, salivary examination and imaging
procedure facilitates the differentiation of Parotitis
from other pathology.
• Accurate diagnosis is necessary for an
appropriate therapeutic approach.

15. Robbie Schaack
Doctor of Dental Surgery