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Parotid abscess: a five-year review--clinical presentation, diagnosis and management

V E S Tan1, B S Goh

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. veelian@streamyx.com

The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|November 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Parotid abscess, a rare complication of parotid gland infections, can stem from various causes. Diabetes mellitus emerged as a significant risk factor, linked to severe complications like facial nerve palsy and sepsis.

Area of Science:

  • Otorhinolaryngology
  • Head and Neck Surgery
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Parotid abscess is an uncommon complication of suppurative parotid gland infections, often bacterial or viral.
  • It can arise from ductal ectasis, primary parenchymal involvement, or lymph node infections.
  • Understanding predisposing factors and complications is crucial for patient management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To retrospectively review cases of parotid abscess treated surgically.
  • To analyze presenting symptoms, predisposing factors, investigations, microbiology, and complications.
  • To highlight the association between diabetes mellitus and severe outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of operative records.
  • Study period: January 2001 to December 2005.
  • Inclusion criteria: Patients undergoing surgery for parotid abscess at National University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur.

Main Results:

  • A case series of 15 patients (10 males, 5 females) with a median age of 51.
  • Diabetes mellitus was a significant comorbidity in six patients.
  • Two diabetic patients experienced facial nerve palsy; one died from sepsis.

Conclusions:

  • Parotid abscess requires careful evaluation of predisposing factors, especially diabetes.
  • Prompt diagnosis and management are essential to prevent severe complications.
  • Further research into optimal treatment strategies is warranted.

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