Sialochemistry in chronic recurrent parotitis: electrolytes and glucose

The concentration of parotid fluid electrolytes and glucose was measured in: (a) a subject during an acute exacerbation of chronic recurrent parotitis and then at various stages of recovery following treatment with corticosteroids; (b) a group of seven patients seen during an acute exacertation and then when clinical symptoms had subsided; and (c) a group of 22 patients studied at various stages of parotitis. During acute exacerbations sodium and chloride concentrations were markedly elevated despite the very low flow rate and potassium was only half the normal salivary level. Phosphate concentration was also extremely low; glucose was very high. During recovery flow rate gradually increased while sodium, chloride and glucose levels fell. Potassium returned quickly to normal while the phosphate level rose very gruadually. The pattern of flow rate and sialochemistry during recovery was essentially the same for all patients. The pattern of flow rate and sialochemistry during recovery was essentially the same for all patients. In most subjects there was a residual effect, and elevated sodium and chloride and a decreased phosphate relative to flow rate. The degree of change from normal appeared to be a good indication of residual pathology within the gland. Sialochemistry should be useful to the clinician in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic recurrent parotitis.