
Both benign and malignant tumors can cause enlargement of the parotid gland. This may be due to inflammation, blockage of the salivary duct or as a space-occupying lesion it can increase the size of the parotid gland itself. A pleomorphic adenima is a benign tumor the parotid gland.
Why there is parotid gland enlargement in cirrhosis of liver?
Why Parotid Gland Enlargement Occurs In Liver Failure? 70 per cent of the subjects with liver cirrhosis suffer from enlarged parotid glands; this is usually attributed to fatty infiltration since liver's ability to break down body fat is reduced in cirrhosis.
What causes a parietal gland to enlarge?
Other Causes of Parotitis
- Salivary stone (sialolithiasis)
- Medication
- Tumors
- Salivary duct defects or strictures
- Eating disorders like bulimia
- Certain spicy food
- Psychological stress
- Excessive caffeine intake
How long to treat sialadenitis?
You may need one or more of the following:
- Antibiotics may be given to treat a bacterial infection.
- Acetaminophen decreases pain and fever. It is available without a doctor's order. ...
- NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. This medicine is available with or without a doctor's order. ...
- Take your medicine as directed. ...
What are the causes of parotitis?
Various causes are discussed:
- decreased saliva production
- Blockage of the excretory ducts
- allergy
- wide excretory ducts

When should I be concerned about a swollen parotid gland?
Parotid gland infections are rare but if you notice swelling in one of your cheeks, feel chills, or fever, you should seek professional treatment right away. Your healthcare professional can diagnose the issue and recommend the treatment necessary to heal your parotid gland.
How do you get rid of a swollen parotid gland?
Drink lots of water and use sugar-free lemon drops to increase the flow of saliva and reduce swelling. Massaging the gland with heat. Using warm compresses on the inflamed gland.
Can stress cause the parotid gland to swell?
It's actually a fairly common reported anxiety symptom. The reason so many people report swollen lymph nodes is due to several issues that are unfortunately extremely common in those with anxiety.
Can Covid cause swollen parotid gland?
In conclusion, parotid inflammation might be encountered in COVID-19 patients and could be related to intraparotid lymphadenitis. Even in persons vaccinated against mumps, testing for viruses that cause a parotitis-like illness is important, including rubella virus, influenza virus, and SARS-CoV-2.
What are the symptoms of a parotid tumor?
Parotid tumors often cause swelling in the face or jaw that usually isn't painful. Other symptoms include numbness, burning or prickling sensations in the face, or a loss of facial movement. Parotid tumor treatment is usually with surgery to remove the tumor.
Can anxiety cause salivary gland problems?
Your body is more prone to acid reflux during periods of intense stress and anxiety, which can negatively impact your salivary glands and lead to less saliva production. Furthermore, it can also result in a sticky feeling in your mouth and bad taste, which are common dry mouth symptoms.
Can a tooth infection cause parotid gland to swell?
Buccal swelling originates from infected maxillary or mandibular molars. Clinically, infection produces a large tender swelling of the cheek without trismus. Boundaries for this type of infection may extend from the philtrum of the lip, to the border of the parotid, and up to the eye.
What are the symptoms of a blocked parotid gland?
If you have parotid duct obstruction, you may have symptoms such as pain and swelling near the back of your jaw. Some people have only swelling or only pain. Symptoms may often come and go. They are often worse during eating, when your salivary gland makes more saliva.
Can parotid gland swelling go away on its own?
Key points about parotid duct obstruction Symptoms can include pain and swelling in the area around the back of your jaw. The condition often goes away on its own with little treatment. You may need additional treatment, such as surgery, to get rid of the stone.
How long does it take for parotitis to go away?
Expected Duration Bacterial parotitis usually responds to antibiotics in a few days. But don't stop taking the medicine just because you feel better. Take it for as long as your doctor has ordered, usually one to two weeks. If you stop the medicine too soon, the infection may not be cured and may come back.
How do you treat a parotid gland infection?
Sialadenitis is usually first treated with an antibiotic. You will also be advised of other treatments to help with the pain and increased saliva flow. These include drinking lemon juice or sucking hard candy, using warm compresses, and gland massages.
What does swollen parotid lymph node mean?
Infection The most common salivary gland infection is mumps, which involves the parotid glands. While this is most common in children, it can occur in adults. However if an adult has swelling in the area of the parotid gland on one side, it is more likely due to an obstruction or a tumor.
Why is my parotid gland swollen?
Causes of Swollen Parotid Gland. The most common causes of a sudden parotid swelling includes an infection or trauma (post-operative of after a blow to the face). Gradual and long term swelling is more likely due to autoimmune disorders, infections like HIV, calculi (stones) or tumors (both benign and malignant).
What are the symptoms of parotid gland swelling?
It may be a gross enlargement which is clearly visible. Other symptoms that may also be present include : Pain and tenderness. Dry mouth.
What causes salivary stone?
This can lead to swelling, inflammation or an infection. A salivary stone (sialolithiasis) is a more common cause of an obstruction but it can also arise from edema of the surrounding tissue due to trauma or impacted food. Chronic Diseases.
Where is the parotid gland located?
The parotid gland is located behind angle of the jaw, below and slightly in front of the ear. Swelling and tenderness will be evident in this area but may extend to the cheek and even below the mandible.
Can swelling of the parotid gland cause pain?
Swelling may therefore present with pain and impaired functioning, or at times there may be no other symptoms that accompany the enlargement of the parotid. Various pathologies that affect the parotid gland and lead to swelling may also affect the other salivary glands.
What causes swelling of the parotid gland?
Infections. Infectious agents like viruses and bacteria can also cause inflammation of the parotid gland. Mumps is a common childhood viral infection that causes swelling of the parotid. This is usually not serious and will resolve with proper management as the infection subsides.
Why is my parotid gland swollen?
One of the more common reasons for a swollen parotid gland is inflammation. Here the blood vessels to the gland widen and fluid from the blood seeps into the tissue spaces of the parotid gland. It is triggered by local tissue injury.
Why does salivary gland stone block?
One possible cause is the formation of a salivary gland stone, which is also known as sialolithiasis. However, even swelling of the duct can cause it to narrow and eventually become blocked. Similarly tumors may press on the duct and block the outflow of saliva from the parotid gland.
What are the symptoms of a parotid gland?
This includes: Lack of saliva in the mouth leading to mouth dryness. Excessive saliva production leading to drooling. Pain toward the back of the jaw and ear. Tenderness over the area where the parotid gland lies.
What glands secrete saliva?
These two glands produce and secrete saliva along with the other salivary glands in the mouth. Like any organ, the parotid gland can become afflicted with a range of diseases and disorders. Swelling of the parotid gland is one such problem that may be encountered.
How to tell if you have a parotid gland?
Swelling of the parotid gland is a symptom and may occur with a number of other symptoms. This includes: 1 Lack of saliva in the mouth leading to mouth dryness. 2 Excessive saliva production leading to drooling. 3 Pain toward the back of the jaw and ear. 4 Tenderness over the area where the parotid gland lies. 5 Slurred speech may be present in some conditions. 6 Diminished taste sensation. 7 Excessive thirst often due to dryness of the mouth.
Why does my face swell on one side?
It is important to note that one-sided facial swelling is not always due to the parotid gland. Injury to the cheek area, enlargement of the cheek muscles like the masseter, fluid accumulation in the face and allergic reactions like hives can cause swelling without involving the parotid gland.
What causes swelling in the parotid gland?
Symptoms. Infections can cause parotid gland swelling on one or both sides of the face, and it may be difficult to fully open the mouth. Other symptoms could include poor appetite, malaise, fever, headache, muscle aches, and joint pain. 4. Cysts.
What is the name of the disease that causes parotid glands to swell?
Description: Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the salivary glands. About 50% of people with Sjogren's syndrome also have swollen parotid gland on both sides of the cheeks, which is normally painless. Symptoms: Sjogren's syndrome causes parotid gland swelling, dry eyes, and a dry mouth.
Why do babies have cysts in their ear?
Cysts. Description: Cysts may develop in the parotid glands if infections, injuries, salivary stones, or tumors block the flow of saliva. Some infants are born with cysts in the parotid gland resulting from a problem with their ear development. It may appear as a soft raised area or a blister.
Why does my salivary gland swell?
Description: A common cause of swollen salivary glands is salivary stone. Occasionally, salivary stones may block the flow of saliva. When saliva can't drain through the ducts, it causes a backup in the gland, creating swelling and pain.
What are the two most common types of tumors in the salivary gland?
Description: Several different types of tumors can affect the salivary glands. The two most common benign (noncancerous) tumors are pleomorphic adenomas and Warthin's tumor. Malignant (cancerous) tumors may include mucoepidermoid carcinoma, adenocystic carcinoma, or adenocarcinoma.
What is the pain in the floor of the mouth?
The pain may be intermittent, felt in one gland, and will progressively get worse. 2. Salivary Gland Infection or Sialadenitis.
What is the name of the abscess in the gland that drains into the mouth?
Description: Sialadenitis is a painful abscess in the gland that results with foul-tasting pus that drains into the mouth. It is more common in the elderly, but may also happen in infants in the first couple of weeks after birth.
How to access parotid gland?
To access the parotid gland, surgeons make an incision near the ear. During the operation, special care is taken to avoid damage to nearby structures , such as the facial nerve that runs through the parotid gland.
What is a parotid tumor?
Open pop-up dialog box. Close. Parotid glands. Parotid glands. The parotid glands are one set of three pairs of major salivary glands. Each set of glands has its own tube (duct) leading from the gland to the mouth. Parotid tumors are abnormal growths of cells (tumors) that form in the parotid glands.
What are the symptoms of a parotid tumor?
Other symptoms include numbness, burning or prickling sensations in the face, or a loss of facial movement. Parotid tumor treatment is usually with surgery to remove the tumor. If the tumor contains cancer cells, additional treatments might be recommended.
What is the best treatment for parotid cancer?
Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy uses powerful beams of energy, such as X-rays, protons or neutrons, to kill cancer cells. If your parotid tumor is cancerous, radiation therapy might be recommended after surgery to kill any cancer cells that remain.
Where are the parotid glands located?
The parotid glands are two salivary glands that sit just in front of the ears on each side of the face. Salivary glands produce saliva to aid in chewing and digesting food. There are many salivary glands in the lips, cheeks, mouth and throat. Tumors can occur in any of these glands, but the parotid glands are the most common location ...
What is the best way to test for lumps in the throat?
A physical exam. Your doctor will feel your jaw, neck and throat for lumps or swelling. Collecting a sample of tissue for testing (biopsy). Your doctor may recommend a needle biopsy procedure, such as fine-needle aspiration or core needle biopsy, to collect a sample of tissue for testing.
Can salivary glands be cancerous?
Tumors can occur in any of these glands, but the parotid glands are the most common location for salivary gland tumors. Most parotid tumors are noncancerous (benign), though some tumors can become cancerous. Parotid tumors often cause swelling in the face or jaw that usually isn't painful. Other symptoms include numbness, burning ...
What is the most common cause of parotitis?
Viral parotitis (mumps) Mumps caused by paramyovirus is the most common cause of viral parotitis. Mumps primarily affects children aged less than 15 years. Mumps primarily involves the parotid gland, either bilaterally (75%) or unilaterally, but submandibular or sublingual involvement can also be seen.
What is crepitus on a parotid duct?
There is crepitus on palpation of the gland in 50% of patients and frothy saliva or air bubbles may be observed emanating from the Stensen's duct during massage of the gland.2. Plain radiographs may show air in the soft tissues and may even outline the course of the main parotid duct.
Can parotid glands be swollen?
A broad spectrum of pathological conditions can affect the parotid glands. Although unilateral parotid swelling is more frequently seen, bilateral parotid swelling is not uncommon.1Bilateral parotid swelling can result from a diverse spectrum of pathologies (Table 1), several of which do not require imaging of any kind and can be easily diagnosed ...
Is parotid gland disease bilateral?
Polycystic (dysgenetic) disease. Polycystic (dysgenetic) disease of the parotid glands is a rare disorder that has only recently been described in the literature. This disease is usually seen in female subjects and is bilateral in the majority of the cases. Patients typically present with recurrent painless swelling of the affected glands.
What is the condition called when the salivary gland is inflamed?
Sialadenitis refers to the inflammation of a salivary gland, which produces saliva to aid in digestion. The condition is most common among elderly adults and mostly affects the parotid and submandibular glands.
How to treat Sialadenitis?
Sialadenitis is usually first treated with an antibiotic. You will also be advised of other treatments to help with the pain and increased saliva flow. These include drinking lemon juice or sucking hard candy, using warm compresses, and gland massages.
What is the most common form of sialadenitis?
Who gets sialadenitis? Sialadenitis is most common among elderly adults with salivary gland stones, calcified structures that can form inside a salivary gland and block the flow of saliva into the mouth. Sialadenitis can also occur in other age groups, including infants during the first few weeks of life.
Is salivary gland a chronic condition?
It can be an acute (sudden), chronic (long term), or recurrent condition. It is a rare condition.

Causes
- A swollen parotid gland may occur due to various different causes. Some of these causative conditions may be mild and temporary whereas others can be serious. Swelling is a consequence of inflammation, fluid or blood accumulation, or abnormal growths. Sometimes this swelling can cause obvious enlargement of the face on the affected side and it may ...
Signs and symptoms
- Swelling of the parotid gland is a symptom and may occur with a number of other symptoms. This includes: Various other signs and symptoms may also be present depending on the cause of a swollen parotid gland. This may include fever, enlarged lymph nodes, difficulty swallowing and bleeding from the mouth. In some cases there may also be skin redness or a rash over the area …
Diagnosis
- WARNING: Symptoms like unintentional weight loss, bleeding from the mouth and severe pain should be investigated immediately as these may be signs of cancer. Rapid diagnosis and the appropriate treatment will make a significant difference in the prognosis. Always consult with a medical doctor.
Clinical significance
- Injury to the parotid gland can through a number of different ways. The injury may be mechanical, chemical or electromagnetic in nature. It may be injured during surgery, with a blow to the face or penetrating force, from toxins and other chemicals or with radiation to the head as part of treatment for cancer. Injury triggers inflammation as the body tries to minimize tissue damage a…
Treatment
- There is no single treatment for all causes of parotid gland swelling. Treatment is dependnt on the underlying cause and may vary greatly. For example, antibiotics may be used for bacterial infections while corticosteroids and immune-modulating agents may be prescribed for autoimmune conditions. Surgery may also be necessary, especially where stones or tumors hav…