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Case Reports
. 2023 Jan 20;15(1):e34016.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.34016. eCollection 2023 Jan.

Inadvertent, Self-Induced Pneumoparotitis Provoking Pneumomediastinum

Emily R Youner  1 , Robert Cox  1 , Philip Zapanta  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Inadvertent, Self-Induced Pneumoparotitis Provoking Pneumomediastinum

Emily R Youner et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Pneumoparotid refers to the presence of air within the parotid gland and pneumoparotitis indicates overlying inflammation or infection. Several physiologic mechanisms exist to prevent the reflux of air and oral contents into the parotid gland, however, these safeguards can be overcome by high intraoral pressures, thus provoking pneumoparotid. Whereas the relationship between pneumomediastinum and air dissecting up into cervical tissues is well understood, the relationship between pneumoparotitis and free air traveling downwards through contiguous structures within the mediastinum is less defined. We present a case of a gentleman who experienced the sudden onset of facial swelling and crepitus in the context of inflating an air mattress with his mouth, who was ultimately found to have pneumoparotid with consequent pneumomediastinum. Discussion of this unusual presentation is important to facilitate recognition and treatment of this uncommon pathology.

Keywords: parotid gland; pneumomediastinum; pneumoparotid; pneumoparotitis; stensen's duct.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. CT Maxillofacial with contrast, axial view
CT Maxillofacial with contrast demonstrating air within the parotid gland extending subcutaneously through the soft tissues of the face and along the course of the parotid duct. Red arrow: air around Stensen’s duct. Blue arrow: air within parotid. White arrow: subcutaneous emphysema within soft tissues of face
Figure 2
Figure 2. CT Maxillofacial, sagittal view
Red arrow: subcutaneous emphysema extending inferiorly through the soft tissues of the neck
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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