SELF-INDUCED PNEUMOPAROTITIS

Pneumoparotitis is a rare cause of enlargement of the parotid gland; i t is often misdiagnosed and therefore incorrectly treated. We report t hree pediatric cases of self-induced pneumoparotitis and detail the cl inical presentation, pathogenesis, radiographic findings, and treatmen t options. We also review the literature on the subject, In children, inflammatory swelling of the parotid gland is usually due to acute vir al or bacterial infection, juvenile recurrent parotitis, or allergic, autoimmune, or systemic disease. Infrequently, swelling may result fro m air being forced through Stensen's duct: resulting in pneumoparotiti s. This may occur as a transient or recurrent phenomenon. Recurrent pa rotid insufflation is not entirely benign and may predispose to sialec tasias, recurrent parotitis, and even subcutaneous emphysema.