Acute Septic Parotitis: Incidence, Aetiology and Management

Abstract

The clinical details, management and bacteriology of acute septic parotitis in 36 patients occurring during the period 1956–67 are reviewed. The incidence of acute septic parotitis increased from 0.009 per cent of hospital admissions during 1956–61 to 0.016 per cent in the period 1962–67. In the period 1956–61, the organism most commonly isolated was Streptococcus viridans; during the period 1962–67 it was Staphylococcus aureus and more than 50 per cent of the latter were penicillin-resistant. During the period 1962–67, 4 patients with acute septic parotitis died during the course of their hospitalisation. All had acute renal failure as well as the clinical features of bacteraemic shock. The factors influencing the incidence and mortality of acute septic parotitis during the 20th century are considered. A regime for the future management of this condition, based upon an analysis of the present survey is suggested.