About the disease
Sialadenitis is an inflammation of salivary glands, whereby salivary glands become infected due to either viral or bacterial infections. According to National Institutes of Health, this infection mostly affects parotid and submandibular glands, located in front of the ear and under the chin. In most cases sialadenitis manifests itself by tenderness in the affected area. A person can feel pain in the area as well. Overall, this condition mostly affects the elderly, but it can affect the middle-aged and newborns as well. People who are constantly dehydrated and who have dry mouth are more susceptible to catching a virus upon contact with it, that`s why it is so important to drink a sufficient amount of water and to maintain personal hygiene of the mouth.
Sialadenitis can develop as a complication of untreated stones or an abscess of the salivary gland. Sialadenitis can be found during a general examination and imaging tests while treating those two conditions. Although the most common cause of sialadenitis is an infection, it can also develop if a person produces too little saliva. In some cases, sialadenitis can develop if there is duct obstruction.
In some cases, sialadenitis can develop in people who are malnourished and who eat fruits and vegetables that have not been washed. People who are recovering from surgery are very often dehydrated when their body recovers so they can develop sialadenitis as well if they do not drink sufficient amount of water. Overall, the most common infection that causes sialadenitis is known as Staphylococcus aureus, which is one of the most common infections that contribute to colds and inflammation of salivary glands. This inflammation can develop as a result of mumps as well, as during mumps the parotid gland becomes inflamed as well.
Symptoms
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Thirstiness
- Sore throat
- In some cases fever
Diagnosis
- During a general examination, a doctor will determine if any of the salivary glands is inflamed and swollen. He will also inquire if a person had fever and will examine the throat to determine if it is red. In severe cases the affected gland can ooze the pus into the mouth.
- A CT scan and MRI can be used to confirm a diagnosis and also to determine if there are stones in the salivary glands, which could be the underlying cause of the sialadenitis. Imaging tests can also determine if there is an abscess in the affected area.
- An ultrasound can be ordered as well as an alternative for imaging tests. It can also determine if there are stones and abscess.
Treatment
- Conservative treatment usually uses antibiotics to kill the bacteria and also precipitate the recovery. Usually, the treatment lasts for one week. In most cases it gives good results and the prognosis is generally favourable.
- Surgical resection is used in severe cases of sialadenitis if the underlying cause of the disease had been decreased production of saliva by one of the glands. Then, one part of the gland can be resected to normalize the saliva production. This surgery is usually minimally invasive and rarely poses any danger.
Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Farrukh Ahmed
