J Korean Soc Radiol.  2010 Oct;63(4):311-318.

Comparative Study of the CT Findings and Clinical Features in Pediatric and Adult Sialadenitis

• Han JK
• Jo SS
• Kim SW
• Kim YT
• Shin HC
• Kim IY
• Lee YM

Abstract

PURPOSE
We wanted to compare the CT findings and clinical features of parotitis and submandibular sialadenitis in children and adults and to evaluate the statistical significance of these in different age groups and the usefulness of a CT scan
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Ninety-seven adults and 36 pediatric patients with sialadenitis were included in this retrospective study. Regardless of the site of involvement, we evaluated the CT findings and clinical manifestations between the pediatric and adult groups, and between the pediatric and adult parotitis and submandibular sialadenitis groups. At last, all the patients were classified into seven age groups.
RESULTS
Abscess formations were more prominent in the parotitis groups, and sialiths were more common in the submandibular sialadenitis group with the lowest incidence in the young children group (< or = 10 years). Cellulitis seen on a CT scan showed a higher incidence in the adult parotitis group, and this finding was closely connected with pain. A number of patients showed cervical lymphadenitis on a CT scan and this coincided with lymph node palpation. Tonsillitis associated sialadenitis was common in the pediatric group. The therapeutic durations were longer in the pediatric parotitis patient group and the adult submandibular sialadenitis group.
CONCLUSION
CT scans were very helpful to evaluate for abscess, stone, lymphadenitis and estimating the associated clinical manifestations such as swelling, palpable lymph nodes, pain with operation and the therapeutic plan.

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Adult
Cellulitis
Child
Humans
Incidence
Lymph Nodes
Lymphadenitis
Neck
Palatine Tonsil
Palpation
Parotitis
Retrospective Studies
Sialadenitis
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Tonsillitis

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Bilateral submandibular sialadenitis and cellulitis in a 18-year-old girl with diffuse soft tissue swellings. Postcontrast CT scan shows homogeneous enhancement and enlargement in both submandibular glands with fat infiltration (arrow) in both neck portions.

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  Fig. 2 Right submandibular abscess and multiple lymph nodes in a 64-year-old man. Postcontrast CT scan shows an abscess pocket (long arrow) in right submandiublar gland with multiple cervical lymph node enlargements (short arrows).

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  Fig. 3 Right submandibular sialadenitis and sialoliths in a 67-year-old man with postprandial pain in right neck. A. Precontrast CT scan shows both submandublar stones (black arrows). B. Postcontrast CT scan shows small abscess pockets (white arrows) in right submandibular gland.

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  Fig. 4 Acute parotitis with tonsillitis in a 17-year-old girl with palpable mass in left infraauricular neck. Postcontrast CT scan shows left palatine tonsil (black arrow) with diffuse enlargement and enhancement in left parotid gland (white arrow).

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  Fig. 5 Parotid abscess in a 28-year-old man with palpable mass in right infraauricular neck. Postcontrast CT scan shows solitary abscess (arrow) in right parotid gland.

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  Fig. 6 Left submandibular sialadenitis in a 17-year-old girl with diffuse soft tissue painful swelling. Left submandibular gland shows diffuse enlargement and homogenous enhancement on postcontrast CT scan with cervical lymphadenitis and cellulitis.

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