CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS MANUAL
Inflammation of the parotid gland, or parotitis, can be caused by various factors, including infections, obstructions, and autoimmune diseases. This condition manifests clinically in different ways depending on the underlying cause.
Pathology | Diagnosis of Suspicion | Diagnosis of Confirmation |
Obstruction of the Parotid Duct | Pain and swelling of the parotid gland during meals, possible dry mouth. | Sialography showing obstruction; ultrasound may detect stones. |
Parotid Tumour | Palpable mass in the gland, gradual swelling, possibly painful. | Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) biopsy to determine the nature of the tumour. |
Mumps Parotitis | Bilateral swelling of the parotids, fever, pain when eating, in the context of a known epidemic. | Specific serology for the mumps virus. |
Suppurative Parotid Infection | Acute pain in the parotid, fever, visible pus in the gland’s duct. | Culture of ductal secretions to identify the infectious agent. |
Non-Suppurative Parotitis due to Ascending Ductal Infection | Recurrent pain in the parotid, dry mouth, mild swelling. | Ultrasound and cultures to detect chronic infection. |
Sjögren’s Parotid Syndrome | Persistent dry mouth and eyes, parotid swelling, fatigue. | Specific antibody tests (anti-Ro/SSA, anti-La/SSB), salivary gland biopsy. |
Parotid Sarcoidosis | Chronic parotid swelling, systemic symptoms of sarcoidosis such as dyspnoea or skin rashes. | Parotid biopsy showing non-caseating granulomas, imaging tests. |
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