Sialadenitis

This condition is treated in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply to the referral standards and include:

• Salivary gland swelling associated with eating
• Dental caries
• Trauma
• Tender salivary gland
• Calculus may be palpable in floor of mouth on bimanual palpation
• Palpate floor of mouth for stones and record findings
• Observe for purulent discharge from salivary duct when palpating gland
• Evaluate mass for swelling, tenderness and inflammation

Tests

• Ultrasound
• Consider CT scan neck after the acute infection resolves
• Occlusal view of floor of mouth for calculi
• Culture or purulent discharge in mouth

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the ENT clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Management:

• Assess patient hydration and treat
• Anti Staphylococcal antibiotics: Augmentin/Flucloxacilline ± Flagyl

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency

🚩 If non-resolving despite medical therapy - refer immediately to ED

🚩 Abscess formation - immediate referral to ED

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Urgent (Category 1)

🚩 If associated with hard mass, contact ENT OPD - Cat 1.

🚩 Poor antibiotic response within one week of diagnosis - contact ENT OPD - Cat 1.

🚩 Hard mass present - neoplasm?

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review and the referral must be faxed.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent (Category 2)

If recurrent salivary gland swelling

Calculi suspected on exam, x-ray or ultrasound - Cat 2/3, depending on circumstances

Routine (Category 3)

Recurrent sialadenitis - Cat 3

Next available appointment

Availability

North

Launceston General Hospital
Level 3 - Specialist Clinics

Phone: 1300 977 694
Fax: 03 6777 5227

North West

Unavailable.
See HealthPathways Tasmania for more information

South

Wellington Clinics
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9454

To contact the on-call ENT Registrar, phone the switchboard on 03 6166 8308.