Sialadenitis
Pronunciation: sy-al-ad-en-EYE-tis
Inflammation of one or more salivary glands, which may be acute or chronic, and of infectious, obstructive, or autoimmune aetiology.
Full Definition
Sialadenitis denotes inflammatory disease of the salivary glands and is broadly categorised as acute (typically bacterial or viral) or chronic (often obstructive or autoimmune). Acute suppurative sialadenitis most commonly affects the parotid gland in debilitated or dehydrated patients and is associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection. Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis (Küttner tumour) classically affects the submandibular gland and may mimic malignancy on palpation. Editors should note that the term 'parotitis' is a specific subtype denoting parotid gland inflammation and is not interchangeable with the broader 'sialadenitis'. The suffix '-itis' confirms an inflammatory process; editors must not substitute 'sialadenosis', which implies non-inflammatory enlargement.
Usage
Usage note: Do not use interchangeably with 'parotitis' (parotid-specific) or 'sialosis' (non-inflammatory enlargement). The British spelling '-itis' is standard; avoid the variant 'sialoadenitis'.
In Context
- "The patient was admitted with acute suppurative sialadenitis of the right parotid gland requiring intravenous antibiotics." — Hospital admission clerking
- "Chronic sialadenitis secondary to ductal obstruction was documented in the surgical histopathology report." — Surgical pathology report