Acute suppurative parotitis.

The parotid is the salivary gland most affected by inflammatory process. The authors reviewed the records of 36 patients with acute suppurative parotitis admitted between July 1996 and June 2002. All patients had unilateral swelling of the cheek that extended to the angle of the jaw; 23 had fever (64%) and 6 diabetes (17%). Even though Staphylococcus aureus is the usual pathogen in acute suppurative parotitis, in the present study, alpha-hemolytic streptococci predominated. Adequate hydration and administration of parenteral antimicrobials are essential managements of suppurative parotitis. In the event a well formed abscess, surgical drainage was necessary. The choice of antibiotics depends on the causal microbes.