ACUTE NONEPIDEMIC INFLAMMATION OF THE SUBLINGUAL GLANDS IN CHILDREN: AN AFFECTION OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN

Abstract

That the sublingual glands may be involved in epidemics of mumps, alone or in conjunction with the other salivary glands, is well known. Whenever reports of nonepidemic inflammation of the sublingual glands are made, well-defined local or combined general and local causes are given. The group of cases I wish to report does not fall into either of these categories. They are characterized, in brief, by the rapid development of a sublingual and median submental swelling, and fever, in previously healthy children; fever soon recedes whereas the swelling under the chin progresses, the overlying skin often becomes reddened, and, about the time the appearances point to the development of an abscess, the submental lesion slowly subsides. Most of the patients presenting this condition (in all, about a dozen cases have been seen) have come under my observation in the surgical department of the Mount Sinai Hospital Dispensary in the past