Sialadenosis
Pronunciation: sy-al-ah-deh-NOH-sis
A non-inflammatory, non-neoplastic bilateral enlargement of the major salivary glands, most commonly the parotids, associated with systemic metabolic or nutritional disorders.
Full Definition
Sialadenosis (also termed sialosis) is a chronic, painless, bilateral enlargement of the parotid glands caused by acinar hypertrophy rather than inflammation or neoplasia. It is associated with systemic conditions including diabetes mellitus, alcoholic liver disease, eating disorders (particularly bulimia nervosa), and malnutrition. Histologically, the acinar cells are markedly enlarged and exhibit prominent zymogen granules. Editors must distinguish this term from sialadenitis, which denotes inflammatory salivary gland disease, and from sialolithiasis, which refers to salivary duct calculi. The preferred spelling in current literature is 'sialadenosis,' not 'sialosis,' though both appear.
Usage
Usage note: 'Sialosis' is an older synonym; prefer 'sialadenosis' in contemporary pathology documents. Always flag if an author conflates this with sialadenitis.
In Context
- "The clinical notes attributed the bilateral parotid swelling to sialadenosis in the context of chronic alcohol misuse." — Clinical case notes
- "An editor reviewing a dental journal article should not accept 'sialosis' without querying whether the preferred term 'sialadenosis' should be substituted." — Copy-editing guideline