Causes of Salivary Gland Swelling – Focus on Sialadenitis

Write a short note on sialadenitis.
Answer:

Inflammation of the salivary gland which mainly involves acinoparenchyma of the gland is known as sialadenitis.

Sialadenitis Etiology

Salivary gland swelling

Infectious Causes

Viral infections are commonly involved, which include mumps—params, xo coxsackie A, choriomeningitis, parainfluenza, and cytomegaloviruses.
Most bacterial infections arise as a result of ductal obstruction or decreased salivary flow, allowing the retrograde spread of bacteria throughout the ductal system.
Blockage of the duct can be caused due to sialolithiasis, congenital strictures, or compression by an adjacent tumor.
Decreased salivary flow may also be due to dehydration, debilitation, medication, recent surgery, or acute parotitis.

“Understanding salivary gland swelling: Causes and symptoms”

Sialadenitis Noninfectious Causes

Sjogren’s syndrome, sarcoidosis, radiation therapy, malnutrition, renal failure, and various allergens.

Sialadenitis Clinical Features

It occurs during 20-40 years.
It is located in the parotid salivary gland, submandibular salivary gland, and minor salivary glands.

“Treatment options for salivary gland swelling due to sialadenitis”

Sialadenitis Signs and Symptoms

Acute bacterial sialadenitis
- The affected gland will be swollen and painful.
- The overlying skin may be warm and erythematous.
- An associated low-grade fever and trismus may be present.
- A purulent discharge is observed from the duct orifice when the gland is massaged.
Chronic bacterial sialadenitis
- It is commonly caused by recurrent or persistent ductal obstruction of Warthin’s duct. Periodic swelling and pain occur within the affected gland, usually developing at mealtime when salivary flow is stimulated.

Salivary gland infection

“Impact of salivary stones on salivary gland swelling”

Sialadenitis Histopathology

Accumulation of neutrophils is observed within the ductal system and acini.
Chronic sialadenitis is characterized by scattered or patchy infiltration of parenchyma by lymphocytes and plasma cells.
Atrophy of acini is common.

Sialographic Features

It demonstrates ductal dilatation proximal to the area of obstruction.
Stenson’s duct may show a characteristic sialographic pattern known as sausage which reflects a combination of dilatation plus ductal strictures from scar formation.

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