Juvenile recurrent parotitis: sialendoscopic approach.

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP) is characterized by recurrent parotid gland swelling in children.
• Accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of JRP can be challenging.
• Traditional diagnostic methods may not fully elucidate salivary ductal pathology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of sialendoscopy for diagnosing and treating JRP in pediatric patients.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of sialendoscopic interventions for salivary duct disorders.

Main Methods:

• A prospective case series of 10 children (1.8-13.0 years) with symptomatic JRP was conducted.
• Sialendoscopy was employed for both diagnostic evaluation of ductal lesions and interventional treatment.
• Procedures included ductal dilation with pressurized saline, with outcomes measured by symptom resolution and ductal tree enlargement.

Main Results:

• Ultrasound findings of a 'white Stensen duct' correlated with true ductal stenosis in all cases.
• Sialendoscopy successfully identified and treated stenoses, with a dilation success rate of 89% across 17 treated glands.
• No major complications were reported; one patient required repeat procedures, and two experienced contralateral JRP episodes.

Conclusions:

• Sialendoscopy provides a reliable and low-morbidity method for evaluating salivary ductal disorders in children.
• Sialendoscopic dilation of parotid ducts is a safe and effective therapeutic approach for JRP.