Recurrent parotitis not due to mumps

Background: Apart from mumps, recurrent parotitis is the most common inflammatory salivary gland disease in childhood. The cause is still unknown. Case report: We present a ten-year-old boy with a recurrent swelling of the left parotid gland, who had difficulties in chewing and a sensation of tension on the left face. Since one year the child wore orthodontic appliances. There were no serological signs of viral infection or an autoimmune process. Ultrasound demonstrated an enlarged left parotid gland with multiple hypoechoic areas. The sialogramm revealed the typical image of multiple cystic ectasies and stenoses of the duct. Treatment of choice were saliva liberating measures. Four months later parotitis relapsed and orthodontic applicances were removed. Since then the patient was free of relapses. Discussion: Recurrent parotitis should be treated symptomatically, because of its favourable prognosis. An inflammation of the parotid gland secondary to trauma to Stensen's duct caused by orthodontic applicances suggested.