Inflammation of the salivary glands is known as Sialadenitis. This condition can be caused by several factors including obstructions or infections.<\/p>\n
The two main types of sialadenitis are:<\/p>\n
Sometimes it can also be further classified by the exact salivary gland that is affected such as parotid or submandibular.<\/p>\n
This is usually caused by a bacterial infection and it is known to mostly affect the submandibular gland (under the chin) or the parotid gland (located in front of the ear).<\/p>\n
A dry mouth or dehydration are the major risk factors that lead to sialadenitis. Hence, this condition is more common in individuals who are on medications that cause dry mouth or who are already ill. In addition, there are several medical conditions that can put you at a higher risk of developing acute sialadenitis, such as:<\/p>\n
Symptoms of acute sialadenitis include:<\/strong><\/p>\n A diagnosis of acute sialadenitis is based off the patient\u2019s symptoms and medical history plus a doctor\u2019s examination. If a sample of the pus can be obtained from the affected gland, it is sent to the laboratory to determine what might be causing the infection. This will help in deciding the best course of treatment. The most common type of bacteria that causes acute sialadenitis are the staphylococcus aureus and other different strains of streptococcus.<\/p>\n Acute sialadenitis can also in rare cases be caused by viruses such as the herpes virus, mumps virus, HIV and haemophilus influenza. Viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics, but rather the symptoms are treated while waiting for the body to fight off the virus on its own. However, in severe cases, antiviral medications may be used. These types of medications are not routinely prescribed because of their severe side effects.<\/p>\n Acute sialadenitis is typically treated with an appropriate course of antibiotics. This can be best achieved if a culture is obtained. Antibiotics should always be taken exactly as prescribed by your physician and the entire dose finished.<\/p>\n Restoring proper flow of saliva is also very important in the treatment of acute sialadenitis. This is best achieved by eating, drinking, or sucking on things that stimulate the flow of saliva such as cough drops as well as drinking plenty of fluids. If you are on medications that cause dry mouth, you should talk to your doctor about switching to a different medication or other ways to manage this side effects.<\/p>\n In rare and extreme cases, acute sialadenitis can lead to formation of an abscess. If this happens, the abscess may have to be drained surgically.<\/p>\n Unlike acute sialadenitis, chronic sialadenitis is likely to be caused by an obstruction than an infection.<\/p>\n The obstruction can be caused by scar tissue, stones (salivary calculi) or in rare cases tumours. Regardless of what\u2019s causing it, the obstruction leads to decreased flow of saliva and chronic inflammation. Chronic sialadenitis mostly affects the parotid gland.<\/p>\n Symptoms of chronic sialadenitis include:<\/strong><\/p>\n Chronic sialadenitis is diagnosed in as similar manner as acute sialadenitis but the difference is that emphasis is placed on identifying and treating its underlying cause. Imaging with ultrasound or a CT scan is usually helpful with the diagnosis. Also, during examination by a doctor, if the affected gland is massaged, it will usually not produce any saliva.<\/p>\n When the underlying cause of chronic sialadenitis is diagnosed, treatment is usually focused on reversing the underlying cause of the condition. In the case of an obstruction, surgery may be performed to remove it. If no obstruction is found, treatment consists of massage, hydration and sometimes medications to reduce inflammation. Sucking on cough drops or lozenges may also help to restore the flow of saliva. In rare and severe cases, the entire salivary gland may need to be surgically removed.<\/p>\n There are other conditions which are associated with or may cause similar symptoms as sialadenitis. Your doctor will usually need to rule these out before making a sialadenitis diagnosis and recommending treatment.<\/p>\n Some these conditions include:<\/strong><\/p>\n One condition which typically occurs in children is the recurrent parotitis of childhood. Although the exact cause of this condition is not known, it usually occurs only in children and they grow out of it by the time they reach puberty. Recurrent parotitis of childhood is characterized by repeated episodes of swelling of the parotid gland (usually on one side). The welling is accompanied by other symptoms such as malaise and fever.<\/p>\n Treatment for recurrent parotitis of childhood<\/strong> is similar to that of sialadenitis, and might include:<\/p>\n The episodes of recurrent parotitis of childhood can occur every few months and last a few days to a couple of weeks.<\/p>\n Another related condition is the salivary duct stones or sialolithiasis. This condition can occur by itself or can lead to sialadenitis. Stones in the salivary ducts are formed by the minerals found in saliva such as proteins, salts and calcium carbonate.<\/p>\n The salivary duct stones can be palpated (felt by the doctor on examination), but they are usually diagnosed through an ultrasound or CT scan. The stones usually need to be surgically removed.<\/p>\n At King\u2019s College Hospital Dubai, we focus on offering an exemplary service, from initial consultation through to final diagnosis and treatment and beyond. Our team of expert doctors and nurses are here to offer tailored management and treatment of your condition, and to answer any questions that you might have throughout your time with us. Whatever you need us for, we\u2019re only a phone-call away.<\/p>\n\n
Diagnosis of Acute Sialadenitis<\/h3>\n
Treatment Options of Acute Sialadenitis<\/h3>\n
Chronic Sialadenitis<\/h3>\n
Causes & Symptoms of Chronic Sialadenitis<\/h3>\n
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Diagnosis of Chronic Sialadenitis<\/h3>\n
Treatment Options for Chronic Sialadenitis<\/h3>\n
Other Similar Conditions<\/h3>\n
Recurrent Parotitis of Childhood<\/h3>\n
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Salivary Duct stones or Sialolithiasis<\/h3>\n
Next Step<\/h3>\n