[Chronic recurrent parotitis in childhood].

Juvenile recurrent parotitis (j.r.p.) is distinguished from the adult form by the course of the disease, therapeutic considerations and prognosis. Children suffering from j.r.p. are between 2 and 15 years of age; the male: female ratio is 1.5:1. In the present paper the author describes the different pathogenic theories of j.r.p. in accordance with the relevant literature. Besides malformation of the glandular duct like stenosis and ectasis, functional factors like the character of salivary secretion are suspected as being responsible for the disease. Other authors assume that a viral genesis, allergic factors, a physiological immaturity of the immune response, or family history may be the causes. In the evaluation of children with j.r.p. the patients' history with recurrent swelling episodes of the parotid gland(s) followed by quiescent periods is indicative. Further procedures like ultrasonography, sialography and MRI are discussed according to their diagnostic value. Therapeutic possibilities include antibiotics in the acute stage of the disease as well as parotidectomy in severe cases. Radiotherapy cannot be recommended because of its side effects (facial dysplasia, tumour induction). In most cases, the disease ends at puberty.