Inflammation of Salivary Glands
The major salivary glands and the accessory mucous glands are subject to
functional abnormalities as well as inflammation. Amylasemia (ptyalism), or
excessive salivation, is associated with the use of several drugs,
specifically, clozapine, pilocarpine, and risperidone. Toxins such as mercury,
copper, and organophosphates have also been reported to cause excessive
salivation. Most often, however, excessive salivation is caused by a form of
gastroesophageal reflux known as water brash. On the other hand, xerostomia,
or dryness of the mouth, most often results from frequently used
medications such as anticholinergic agents, radiation to the head and neck,
chemotherapeutic treatment, obstructive sleep apnea, and, less often, Sjögren
syndrome, vitamin deficiencies, and other systemic conditions. Inflammation of
the major glands is usually shown by swelling and may be a feature of a
generalized syndrome. Epidemic parotitis or Hodgkin or leukemic infiltration
should be considered diagnostically whenever more than one gland is involved or
when a local cause is not obvious.
The submandibular gland may be
the site of an acute or subacute infection, causing pain on palpation. The
swelling differs from that of an alveolar abscess by being deeply seated, not
complicated by trismus, and presenting as subepithelial nonadherent swelling
beneath the mandible with distinct borders. The orifice of the Wharton duct is
reddened, and its course is tender and edematous. Pus may sometimes be
expressed by milking the duct. Swelling of the submandibular gland is most
often due to obstruction in the form of a salivary calculus. Precipitation of
calcium salts is probably initiated by irritation of the duct and stasis of
saliva, aided by the presence of a matrix of filamentous colonies of sapro-
phytic Actinomyces or other organisms.
The parotid gland is subject to
similar acute and chronic swellings superimposed on
recurrent obstruction of its duct. It may also become infected by an ascending
pyogenic infection of the Stensen duct in debilitated or postoperative
patients. In this “terminal parotitis,” the onset is sudden, with severe pain,
fever, and swelling of the parotid gland. Obstructive parotitis, in contrast to
submandibular adenitis, is usually not associated with calculus formation. An
inflammatory disturbance in the duct or catarrhal constriction causes
characteristic recurrent swelling. Complete obstruction predisposes to abscess
formation, with reddening of the skin and a tense, fluctuant swelling of the
parotid space. Repeated parotitis may lead to stenosis of the interlobar ducts
or main excretory duct.
Mumps, a highly contagious viral infection causing
parotid gland swelling, usually affects both glands, which have a doughy or
elastic consistency. The frequency of this infection had diminished after
immunization became available for young children, but now that parents are
becoming more resistant to immunizations, the frequency is again increasing.
The glands enlarge to the maximum size within 24 to 48 hours and remain
enlarged for 7 to 10 days. Microscopically, the glands are heavily infiltrated
by lymphocytes and show destruction of acinar cells in varying degrees. The
danger of mumps lies in the complications, which include epididymoorchitis,
oophoritis, meningoencephalitis, deafness, ocular lesions, and neuritis of the facial
and trigeminal nerves.
