Publication:

Chronic juvenile recurrent parotitis: a retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital in South India

Background Chronic juvenile recurrent parotitis is a rare disease with unknown etiology. This study was aimed to analyze clinico-social parameters of chronic juvenile recurrent parotitis in children.

Methods Case records of nine children with recurrent parotid swellings and radiological diagnosis of chronic juvenile recurrent parotitis were reviewed from September 2012 to March 2015. These were assessed for parameters like gender, age, laterality, number of recurrences, symptoms of presentation, associated conditions, radiology reports, treatment done, outcome and follow up. Results were analyzed by using percentage.

Results Male to female ratio was 2:1. Mean age of presentation was 6.33 years. Five cases (62.5%) were left sided, three cases (33.3%) were right sided and one case had bilateral parotid involvement. Pain and swelling were present in all nine patients. Fever and whitish discharge from duct were present in seven and two patients respectively. Numbers of recurrences were in range of one to 12 times per year. Six (66.7%) children had associated active viral respiratory tract infection during or just before the attack. Sonography was diagnostic in all cases. Sialography showed punctate sialectasis. Two patients developed suppuration in their second recurrence and underwent drainage. Mean follow up period was 7.1 months (1- 24 months).Seven patients were asymptomatic till last follow up. Two patients had recurrence while on oral antibiotic treatment.

Conclusions In chronic juvenile parotitis morbid recurrences are common after variable interval and even while on treatment. Acute viral infections contribute to exacerbation of symptoms. Sonography is useful in diagnosis. It may rarely suppurate and need drainage. However a larger prospective study is needed to establish these findings.