1.
Salivary gland calculi cause obstruction and stasis of the saliva which leads to swelling and infection of your parotid glands (parotitis).
Clindamycin is the antibiotic of choice as it is excreted in saliva. Regional lymph nodes draining the glands will normally enlarge and signify spreading infection.
2. The parotid salivary gland is covered by a thick parotid fascia and hence swelling of the parotid gland causes intense pain. The parotid region will also be tense and taut. This means that your parotid swelling is mild.
3. Parotid salivary secretion is mostly 'serous' and not 'mucoid' like the Sub-mandibular salivary glands. Therefore parotid ducts mostly do not develop large stones (as in Sub-mandibular glands) and instead may develop a sand like sludge of debris. The calculi are usually seen in the body of the parotid gland and not in the main ducts. The Parotid (Stensen's) Duct usually opens near the second upper molar tooth.
4. A Sialogram should be done when there is no infection. This will reveal any
chronic parotitis, stenosis of the duct/s or 'ectasia' (ballooning) of the duct/s and 'acini' (gland structure). There are stents available for salivary ducts now.
6. Sialendoscopy is a new form of endoscopy for the salivary glands. You may arrange for this to confirm any
parotid disease and possibly remove the calculi.
7. Dental infections,
dehydration, underlying generalized chronic infections (sarcoidosis, sjogren's syndrome), concurrent medication,
autoimmune disorders and other rare disorders (Kussmaul's disease, Sialodochitis ) can lead to
recurrent parotitis.