Obstructive sialadenitis caused by intraparotid deposits of gold salts: a case report

A case of obstructive sialadenitis caused by deposits of gold salt compound in the intraparotid lymphoid tissues in a woman with classic rheumatoid arthritis is presented. The patient had been treated with a parenteral gold salt compound (sodium aurothiomalate) for 10 years with chrysotherapy balance of 7525 mg. She presented with swelling of both parotid glands on eating, and computed tomography images showed accumulation of high density spots. Obstructive sialadenitis most probably was caused by local compression on the excretory ducts of the parotids. This clinical disorder should be classified as a case of mechanical, nontumoral, obstructive sialadenitis caused by gold salt compound.