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Parotid abscess: a retrospective study of 14 cases at a regional hospital in Taiwan
Problem/Objective:
Acute suppurative sialadenitis commonly affects the parotid gland. However, acute suppurative parotitis with abscess formation is less common and possibly complicated by deep neck space infection and sepsis. Our aim was to analyze the clinical features, radiological findings, treatment modalities, and microbiology of parotid abscesses treated at a regional hospital in Taiwan over a 15-year period.
Methods:
Records from patients diagnosed with acute suppurative parotitis or parotid abscesses between January 1998 and December 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Parotid abscesses were confirmed by computed tomography (CT) examinations.
Results:
Fourteen patients (9 males; mean age+standard deviation, 49.6 +/- 14.4 [range, 22-75] years) with parotid abscesses were included. Painful swelling at the angle of the jaw was the most common symptom. All patients sustained unilateral parotid abscesses, with left-sided lesions in 10 patients, and right-sided ones in 4 patients. Radiographically, 13 of 14 abscess lesions were located in the superficial lobe, and 1 was in the deep lobe of the parotid gland. Besides sufficient fluid hydration, maintenance of good oral hygiene, and administration of parenteral antibiotics, all patients were treated with surgical incision and drainage. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the organism most commonly isolated from abscess cultures.
Conclusions:
Parotid abscesses were found in about one fifth of patients with acute infectious parotid disease. Parenteral antibiotics plus surgical incision and drainage was the treatment of choice.
Insights
Parotid abscesses, a complication of acute infectious parotid disease, were treated effectively with parenteral antibiotics and surgical drainage. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common pathogen identified in these parotid abscess cases.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Acute suppurative sialadenitis often involves the parotid gland.
- Parotid abscess formation is a less common but potentially severe complication, risking deep neck infection and sepsis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze clinical features, radiological findings, treatment, and microbiology of parotid abscesses.
- To evaluate outcomes of parotid abscess treatment at a regional hospital in Taiwan over 15 years.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of patient records diagnosed with acute suppurative parotitis or parotid abscesses (1998-2012).
- Computed tomography (CT) confirmed parotid abscesses.
- Analysis of clinical presentation, imaging, treatment protocols, and microbiological data.
Main Results:
- Fourteen patients with parotid abscesses were identified; painful swelling at the jaw angle was the primary symptom.
- Most abscesses were unilateral and located in the superficial parotid lobe.
- Klebsiella pneumoniae was the predominant organism isolated from abscess cultures.
Conclusions:
- Parotid abscesses constitute approximately one-fifth of acute infectious parotid disease cases.
- The standard treatment involves parenteral antibiotics combined with surgical incision and drainage.
