Sialadenitis
Pronunciation: sy-al-ah-den-EYE-tis
Inflammation of a salivary gland, which may be acute or chronic and of infectious, autoimmune, or obstructive aetiology.
Full Definition
Sialadenitis refers to inflammation of one or more salivary glands and is classified by time course (acute vs. chronic), aetiology (bacterial, viral, autoimmune, or obstructive), and the gland involved (parotid, submandibular, or sublingual). Acute suppurative sialadenitis is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus and typically involves the parotid gland. Chronic sialadenitis may result from recurrent obstruction (often by a sialolith) or from autoimmune conditions such as Sjögren syndrome. Editors must distinguish 'sialadenitis' (inflammation of the gland) from 'sialolithiasis' (stone formation in the gland or duct) and from 'sialosis' (non-inflammatory, non-neoplastic gland enlargement).
Usage
Usage note: Differentiate from 'parotitis', which refers specifically to parotid gland inflammation. Use the more precise 'sialadenitis' with the gland specified in formal clinical writing.
In Context
- "Chronic sialadenitis of the submandibular gland was confirmed histologically, with acinar atrophy and periductal fibrosis." — Histopathology report
- "Mumps-related parotid sialadenitis must be clearly distinguished from bacterial suppurative sialadenitis in clinical documentation." — Infection control report