Sialadenitis
Outpatients | Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)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.