Study of Evaluation of Symptoms of Juvenile Recurrent Parotitis Prior to and After Sialendoscopy

Juvenile recurrent parotitis(JRP) causes recurrent pain and swelling of one or both parotid glands in children. They are subjected to repeated courses of antibiotics and analgesics for this condition. Though self- limiting, some may progress to chronic parotitis which in some instances result in parotidectomy later on. But it does affect quality of life of the child with poor feeding during attacks and school absenteeism. Among various therapies, steroid lavage under endoscopic visualisation of the parotid salivary duct system has become popular after the advent of sialendoscopy. There are few studies comparing the response to conservative measures and salivary endoscopy.

To evaluate the efficacy of sialendoscopy over medical management in JRP.

Twenty two patients of JRP between the age group 3 to 18 years were enrolled in this study. This retrospectively analysed the frequency of pain and parotid swelling after sialendoscopy. The results were compared to their pre intervention status when they were on medical management. Sialendoscopic management was offered only to those patients under medical treatment with symptoms of two or more attacks in 6 months.

Conservative measures as well as salivary endoscopy had good results, but latter fared better with regard to pain score and long remission. Majority were asymptomatic and the symptomatic patients experienced less pain with longer remission between attacks.

Sialendoscopic visualisation and lavage seems to be a promising tool in the management of JRP. It appears that it contains the inflammatory process better and may prevent the progression to chronic parotitis.