Chronic parotitis: diagnosis and treatment

Chronic parotitis, or CP, is a nonspecific sialadenitis that often is seen first in the dental office. The cause, although not definitively determined, is most likely multifactorial and includes decreased salivation, stasis and an ascending retrograde duct infection. The authors present a case report to illustrate the symptomatology of CP to facilitate its differentiation from other entities that mimic CP.

A 60-year-old woman with a 30-year history of recurrent swellings of her left parotid gland was diagnosed with CP. The diagnosis was based on history, clinical examination, salivary volume and chemistry, computerized tomographic scan and sialography. Treatment was palliative in nature.

As a member of the health care team, the dentist must be familiar with the various causes of recurrent parotid infections. Early clinical recognition of CP leads to appropriate and successful care.