title: Conservative management of bilateral pneumoparotitis with sialendoscopy and steroid irrigation.
abstract: Pneumoparotitis is a rare condition related to retrograde airflow into the ductal system of the gland and secondary infections. Although counselling is enough in the majority of cases, persistent problems require surgery. Sialendoscopy and ductal irrigation with steroids have never been described as a treatment option. We present the case of a 61-year-old man with recurrent bilateral parotid swellings who had three episodes of sialadenitis on the right side within 2 years. Massage of the glands revealed air bubbles coming out from both papillae. A previous CT scan confirmed the presence of air in both parotid glands. The patient underwent sialendoscopy and irrigation of the ductal system with prednisolone. Ductal irrigation with steroids in three additional sessions led to a significant improvement of symptoms 6 months later. Sialendoscopy and irrigation with steroids could be another treatment modality in cases of recurrent pneumoparotitis avoiding major surgery.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Academic ENT Department, Aristotle University, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Iordanis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Konstantinidis
authors.affiliation: 2nd Academic ENT Department, Aristotle University, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Angelos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chatziavramidis
authors.affiliation: 2nd Academic ENT Department, Aristotle University, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Jannis
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Constantinidis
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000473:pathology*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000473:pathology*; D012793:Sialadenitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D013256:Steroids; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013256:Steroids; D011239:Prednisolone