Acute neonatal suppurative parotitis: a case report and review of the literature

Neonatal Suppurative Parotitis: Case Report and Review of Literature

Neonatal suppurative parotitis is a rare condition that is diagnosed primarily through clinical evaluation. The prognosis is generally good. In this report, we present the case of a 21-day-old female infant who was treated in our ENT department for neonatal suppurative parotitis. The patient presented with a feverish, hard, red, and tender swelling of the parotid loge which displaced the right earlobe outward. In addition, purulent exudate was observed from Stensen's duct. A computed tomography scan of the cervical and cerebral regions revealed a swollen right parotid gland with heterogeneous density and enhancement, but no detectable collection. The patient received intravenous antibiotics for 48 hours, resulting in a favorable outcome without the need for surgical treatment. The aim of this study is to emphasize the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of this clinical condition. Suppurative parotitis should be suspected by the clinician in newborns who present with an inflammatory preauricular swelling, with or without contributing factors. The outcome is generally favorable, and complications are rare with timely and appropriate medical treatment.

Neonatal Parotitis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

BACKGROUND

Neonatal parotitis is a rare disease. Between 1970 and 2011 only 44 cases have been reported in the English literature.

METHODS

In this case report, we describe a case of neonatal parotitis caused by Group B streptococcus (GBS). Additionally, we performed a review of the recent literature. We found 18 new cases published between 2011 and 2020. These cases were analyzed together with the 44 cases published before 2011.

RESULTS

All patients presented with swelling over the parotid area, with varying degrees of local inflammation and general symptoms. Purulent discharge from the Stensen's duct was present in 85% of the patients. The swelling was usually unilateral (84%). In total 70% of the patients were male. Prematurity was reported in 29% of the cases. The most common isolated pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus (68%). Only 5 cases were found describing GBS as the causative pathogen in neonatal parotitis. In most of the cases treatment with intravenous antibiotics was successful, 27% of the patients needed surgical drainage. The reported outcomes were good.

CONCLUSIONS

When comparing GBS cases and non-GBS cases there seems to be a difference in presenting symptoms and pathophysiology, with GBS patients presenting without purulent discharge form the Stensen's duct and with more severe generalized symptoms. Additionally, all GBS patients had a positive blood culture, compared to 27% of the non-GBS patients, which indicates that in GBS cases the major route of parotid infection is hematogenous, compared to a retrograde flow from the oral cavity to the parotid gland in non-GBS cases.

Neonatal suppurative parotitis: Case reports and literature review

BACKGROUND

Neonatal suppurative parotitis is a rare disease, characterized mainly by unilateral parotid swelling with erythema and tenderness, and often purulent discharge from the Stensen's duct into the oral cavity. Only 44 cases were reported in the English literature between 1970 and 2013.

METHODS

A MEDLINE search was conducted using the terms acute, neonatal, newborn, suppurative, bacterial, purulent, parotitis, parotid swelling, and parotid abscess, limited to the English-language literature starting from 2011. We reviewed all reported cases, together with two more managed cases in our hospital. We also describe the magnetic resonance imaging findings of the early stage of this disease.

RESULTS

We identified 26 new cases since 2011. The total number of patients reviewed was 72, including our patients. The infection was unilateral in 83% of patients, and 67% of the affected patients were males. The serum amylase levels were generally not elevated despite marked parotid swelling. Of the causative agents of this disease, 65% were Staphylococcus aureus, of which 19% were methicillin-resistant S. aureus. As the rate of cesarean section was high in patients with this disease, it was considered a risk factor. The diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance images showed multiple punctate hyperintensity regions with reduced apparent diffusion coefficient, suggesting microabscess formation in the affected gland.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute suppurative parotitis should be considered in cases of swelling and tenderness in the parotid gland during the neonatal period. Multiple punctate hyperintensities in the parotid gland on the diffusion-weighted images may indicate a retrograde bacterial infection from the Stensen's duct.

Neonatal Parotitis: A Case Report

Introduction

Acute suppurative parotitis is a rare finding in the neonate. It is commonly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, but other bacterial isolates may be emerging. It is a novel disease for this age group and requires unique management. Only 32 cases of neonatal suppurative parotitis have been described in the English-language literature over the last 35 years.

Case Report

We describe a case of a 14-day-old male who presented to the pediatric emergency department with a 24-hour history of swelling and redness of the right cheek. On examining him, purulent material was seen inside his oral cavity. He was subsequently hospitalized with a diagnosis of neonatal suppurative parotitis and received five days of parenteral antibiotics with improvement in swelling and redness. He was discharged home with oral antibiotics.

Conclusion

Although neonatal suppurative parotitis is rare, it should be suspected in newborns presenting with an erythematous pre-auricular mass with or without any predisposing factors. We describe a rare case of acute suppurative parotitis in a neonate and review the published literature.

Group B streptococcal neonatal parotitis

Acute neonatal parotitis (ANP) is a rare condition, characterised by parotid swelling and other local inflammatory signs. The most common pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus, but other organisms can be implicated. We describe the case of a 13-day-old term newborn, previously healthy, with late-onset group B Streptococcus (GBS) bacteraemia with ANP, who presented with irritability, reduced feeding and tender swelling of the right parotid. Laboratory evaluation showed neutrophilia, elevated C reactive protein and procalcitonin, with normal serum amylase concentration. Ultrasound findings were suggestive of acute parotitis. Empiric antibiotic therapy was immediately started and adjusted when culture results became available. The newborn was discharged after 10 days, with clinical improvement within the first 72 h. Although S. aureus is the most common pathogen implicated in ANP, GBS should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Acute suppurative parotitis in a 33-day-old patient

Acute suppurative parotitis is a rare disease in childhood. Its incidence is higher in premature newborns. Parotid swelling and pus drainage from Stenson's duct is pathognomonic, and Staphylococcus aureus is the causative agent in most cases. Here, a 33-day-old patient with acute suppurative parotitis is presented.

Bilateral acute neonatal suppurative parotitis: A rare finding in neonatal age

Acute suppurative parotitis is a rare entity in neonates. Bilateral involvement is extremely rare. Low birth weight, prematurity, gavage feeding, dehydration, sepsis are all known risk factors. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common organism, other organisms responsible for parotitis are streptococcus, E. coli, pseudomonas and klebsiella. We report a neonate suffering from bilateral acute suppurative parotitis with an unusual causative association. CPAP and its association for acute suppurative parotitis has been proposed.

Suppurative parotitis and submandibular sialadenitis

Suppurative involvement of salivary gland in neonates is a rare disorder. Parotid gland being the most commonly involved. We described a case of suppurative parotitis leading to abscess formation and subsequent involvement of the submandibular gland. Incision and drainage of the abscess was performed, most of the purulent material was drained. Symptoms and signs resolved within 2 days. Pus culture grew Staphylococcus aureus.

Isolated suppurative submandibular sialadenitis in a preterm neonate

Neonatal isolated suppurative submandibular sialadenitis (NISSS) is rare, with only 21 cases described in the English literature. All cases, with the exception of one, were caused by Staphylococcus aureus. In this case report, we describe a preterm neonate with NISSS due to infection by S aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia presenting on day 11 of life with submandibular swelling and low-grade fever. Possible contributors for the development of the infection include prematurity, neutropenia, prolonged orogastric feed and bacterial virulence. Antibiotic treatment was effective. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of NISSS caused by a mixed flora.

Acute Neonatal Parotitis with Late-Onset Septic Shock due to Streptococcus agalactiae

Acute neonatal parotitis (ANP) is a very rare disease. Most cases are managed conservatively; early antibiotics and adequate hydration may reduce the need for surgery. The most common cause of ANP is Staphylococcus aureus. We report a rare case of acute neonatal parotitis with late-onset septic shock due to Streptococcus agalactiae. The diagnosis was confirmed with ultrasound and isolation of Streptococcus agalactiae from blood culture. The patient was treated successfully with 10 days of intravenous antibiotics and supportive measures. Despite being rare, streptococcal ANP should be considered in the etiological diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic might prevent serious complications.

[Bacterial parotitis in an immunocompromised patient in adult ICU]

Bacterial parotitis is a common childhood disease with a favorable outcome. Staphylococcus aureus is the most frequently involved pathogen. Clinical presentation in adult patients can be misleading, Onset occurs in patients with multiple comorbidities, making diagnosis difficult--particularly in ICU. Different pathogens are found in adults with worse outcomes observed. We report here the case of a critically ill patient and discuss diagnosis and management of bacterial parotitis.

Neonatal suppurative parotitis over the last 4 decades: report of three new cases and review

BACKGROUND

Neonatal suppurative parotitis is a rare disease. Only 32 cases were reported in the English-language literature between 1970 and 2004.

METHODS

We searched Medline for acute, neonatal, bacterial, suppurative, parotitis, facial, preauricular swelling starting from 1970, limiting our search to the English-language literature. We reviewed all the reported cases together with three more managed in our department.

RESULTS

We identified nine new cases since 2004. The total number of patients reviewed was 44, including our patients. Most of them were male (77%). The majority developed unilateral inflamed parotid swelling (77%) and exuded pus from the ipsilateral Stensen duct. Fever was seen in fewer than half of them (47%). Premature babies constituted a third of the patients. Staphylococcus aureus was the leading causative agent (61%). Most patients responded well to conservative treatment with antibiotics (77%). The most frequently used combination of antibiotics was an anti-staphylococcal agent with either an aminoglycoside or a third-generation cephalosporin. A minority required surgical drainage. No deaths were reported in the group studied after 1970.

CONCLUSION

Neonatal suppurative parotitis is rare but easy to diagnose and if readily treated with appropriate antibiotics the outcome is excellent.

Monolateral suppurative parotitis in a neonate and review of literature

OBJECTIVES

Neonatal suppurative parotitis is a rare condition characterized by swelling, pain, and erythema over the affected gland. Antimicrobials and adequate hydration are an essential part of treatment. Surgical intervention is reserved for organized abscesses and for infections not responding to medical management.

METHODS

A case report and review of the literature.

RESULTS

Only few case reports and case series are reported in literature on neonatal parotitis. Transmission of bacteria seems to occur mainly by ascending spread through Stensen's duct, or by hematogenous spread from a distant focus. Dehydration, low birth weight, immune suppression, ductal obstruction, oral trauma and structural abnormalities of the parotid gland are recognised as risk factors. The most common pathogen is Staphylococcus aureus. Other less frequent agents are other Gram-positive cocci, Gram-negative bacilli and rarely anaerobic bacteria. Advances in antimicrobial therapy have improved both outcome and prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Thanks to the prompt antibiotic treatment complications are now drastically reduced. Ultrasound examination may help in the diagnosis and monitoring of clinical course.