title: Pneumoparotitis: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pneumoparotid is a rare cause of parotid enlargement. Pneumatic enlargement of the gland is caused by retrograde insufflation via Stensen's duct. Most reported cases have been managed conservatively, thus running a short course.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We report on a case of a 48-year-old man with a chronic painful right facial swelling and symptoms of repeated infection. Clinical examination found a parotid swelling with surgical emphysema and a dilated Stensen's duct. Pneumoparotitis with cystic changes and dilated intraparotid ducts was confirmed by CT. The patient proceeded to undergo excision of the gland, with subsequent resolution of symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Repeated retrograde movement of air and contaminated saliva leads to chronic infection and sialectasis. Management is aimed at preventing these sequelae by identifying and addressing the insult early; however, repeated pneumoparotid leads to chronic pneumoparotitis, the management of which is excision of the gland.
authors.affiliation: ENT Department, Craigavon Area Hospital, Portadown, Northern Ireland. angelamcgreevy@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Angela E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: McGreevy
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: O'Kane
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McCaul
authors.forename: Shaik I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Basha
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D004646:Emphysema / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010309:Parotitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012796:Sialography / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods