Chronic recurrent parotiditis in children

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic recurrent parotiditis (CRP) in children is a self limiting disease of unknown aetiology, characterized by episodes of painful parotid swelling and associated with non-obstructive sialectasia. Its study and treatment do not follow set rules.

Objective: to review our experience using mucolytics in the symptomatic treatment of acute episodes of CRP. Methods: a retrospective study of the clinical and radiographic characteristics and the response to a mucolytic (Bromhexin) in 25 patients, 16 males, between 1993 and 1999 was carried out.

Results: 92% were between 4 and 10 years, all having presented at least once with CRP. Swelling was present in all cases and all responded to Bromhexin, with a decrease in pain between 48 and 96 hours after starting treatment. CRP with its acute episodes presents some difficulties in its evaluation and treatment.

Conclusion: the use of mucolytics reduces the symtomatic period in relation to those reported in the literature and provides a good therapeutic alternative.