A Case of Pneumoparotid: Initially Presented with Viral Parotitis

Abstract

Parotid gland swellings are usually caused by viral and bacterial infections. Among the causes of non-infectious swellings, pneumoparotid is a rare condition which refers to the pathologic state of air within the parotid gland. This condition has been described in the medical literature under several names such as pneumoparotid, pneumoparotitis, pneumosialadenitis, wind parotitis, and pneumatocele glandulae parotis. The mechanism that causes the air reflux is an excessive increase in intraoral pressure. Patients typically present with painless swelling in the parotid region. There is crepitus on palpation of the gland, and frothy saliva or air bubbles may be observed emanating from Stensen’s duct during massage of the gland. Here, we report an unusual case of pneumoparotid initially presented with viral parotitis in the epidemic area of mumps.