Paediatric Parotid Abscess: A Rare Presentation

Acute parotitis in children is a common occurrence with predisposing factors including ductal dysfunction, poor oral hygiene or dental infections, immunosuppression, dehydration, or a pre-existing Warthin’s tumour. Bacterial or viral infections of the intra-parotid and peri-parotid lymph nodes or the parotid gland parenchyma results in inflammatory followed by suppurative changes which leads to formation of parotid abscess. Surgical drainage is necessary in parotid abscesses not responding to conservative management. Surgical intervention is invasive and has associated risks of injury to the facial nerve and poor cosmetic outcome. We present a case of parotid abscess in a 9-year-old female child which required surgical drainage. In literature, parotid gland abscess arising from a preceeding dental infection in paediatric age group is an uncommon occurence and limited number of cases have been documented. The first line of imaging is ultrasonographic examination of the parotid gland which adds on to the clinical examination. In combination with color doppler, sonography is of immense assistance for diagnosis and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy and also helps guide aspiration or incision and drainage.