Parotitis in children hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology of the Medical University of Warsaw in the years 2010-2017

Abstract

Introduction. Parotitis can be divided into chronic and acute parotitis. Acute parotitis is caused by a viral or bacterial infection. Chronic parotitis includes chronic recurrent parotitis, parotitis due to sialolithiasis, parotitis related to angiomas, as well as parotitis as a symptom of autoimmune diseases. Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze the inflammatory changes in parotid salivary glands in children. Material and Methods. Between 2010 and 2017, 30 children were hospitalized in the Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology of the Medical University of Warsaw due to the swelling and pain of a parotid gland . Age, gender, etiology of the disease, location, laboratory findings, and comorbidities were assessed. Results. The cause of hospitalization was swelling and pain of a parotid salivary gland. The age of children ranged from 1 month to 15 years of age (mean age was 4.2 years). In 11 children, bilateral parotitis was diagnosed, in 19 children, the lesions were unilateral. In 7 children, acute parotitis was diagnosed. In these patients, elevated inflammatory markers, enlarged lymph nodes, or an abscess of the gland in the ultrasonographic examination was observed. In 20 children, chronic recurrent parotitis was diagnosed. In these patients, no elevated inflammatory markers were observed during exacerbations. In ultrasound, hypoechogenic foci were observed. Eleven children were diagnosed with autoimmune diseases. Three children were diagnosed with lymphangioma or hemangioma. None of the patients suffered from sialolithiasis nor pneumoparotitis. Conclusions. Parotitis that have its onset between 3 and 4 years of age may be recurrent parotitis. The diagnosis of chronic recurrent parotitis is based on clinical symptoms, ultrasound signs, and lack of elevated inflammatory markers. Bilateral chronic recurrent parotitis is related to an increased risk of autoimmunological diseases; chronic parotitis precedes their onset. Children with bilateral chronic recurrent parotitis require further testing for autoimmune diseases. Keywords