Acute suppurative parotitis in outpatients: microbiologic and posttreatment sialographic findings

The presenting clinical features of twenty-seven cases of acute suppurative parotitis seen in the Oral Medicine Unit, Glasgow Dental Hospital, between 1975 and 1985 are reviewed. The microbiologic findings plus the management and subsequent findings on sialography after recovery are summarized. Of the microorganisms isolated, alpha-hemolytic streptococci predominated, with many other bacteria similar in range to those reported in previous studies. Microbiologically, the drug of choice was erythromycin, closely followed by ampicillin. Sialography in the posttreatment phase demonstrated a local salivary gland abnormality in 70% of patients, and 22% of patients had a generalized salivary gland disorder. On the basis of these findings, a management regime for patients with acute suppurative parotitis is suggested.