[22] Sialadenitis Flashcards
What is sialadenitis?
Inflammation of the salivary glands
What salivary gland is most commonly affected by sialadenitis?
Parotid gland
What are the less commonly affected salivary glands in sialadenitis?
Submandibular then sublingual
How can sialadenitis be further classified?
- Acute
- Chronic
What are the causes of sialadenitis?
- Cancer
- Autoimmune conditions
- Viral and bacterial infections
- Idiopathic
- Stones
What autoimmune conditions can cause sialadenitis?
- Sjögren’s syndrome
- Sarcoidosis
- Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s)
Which type of pathogen is more likely to cause sialadenitis?
Viral infection
What is the most common viral infection causing sialadenitis?
Mumps
What glands does mumps affect?
Parotid and submandibular
What other viruses can cause sialadenitis?
- HIV
- Coxsackie
- Parainfluenza
What are the common bacterial causes of sialadenitis?
- S. aureus
- S. pyogenes
- S. viridans
- H. influenzae
What are the risk factors for sialadenitis?
- Aged 50-60
- Chronically ill with xerostomia
- Sjogren’s syndrome
- Anorexia
- Immunosuppression
What are the symptoms of sialadenitis?
- Fever
- Chills
- Unilateral pain and swelling
- Firm and diffusely tender gland
- Erythema and oedema of overlying skin
- Pus can often be expressed
What investigations can be made in sialadenitis?
- Culture and sensitivities from exudate
- FBC
- Facial radiographs
Why may facial radiographs be useful in sialadenitis?
To detect stones
What are the differentials for sialadenitis?
- Mumps
- Sarcoidosis
- Tuberculosis
- Parotid and submandibular tumours
- Dental abscess
- Ludwig’s angina
How should acute attacks of sialadenitis be managed?
- Hydration
- Analgesics
- Sialogoues to stimulate salivation
- Gentle gland massage
How should infected sialadenitis be treated?
With empirical antibiotic therapy
How should sialadenitis be managed if there are more than 3 attacks in a year?
Surgical excision of the affected gland can be considered
What are the potential complications of sialadenitis?
- Abscess
- Dental decay
