A Rare Outcome for Transient Parotitis After Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: A Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature

TL;DR

A rare case of transient parotitis occurred after an upper GI endoscopy in a 33-year-old man and resolved within 12 hours with simple treatment.

Contribution

This case report adds to the limited evidence on post-endoscopy transient parotitis and highlights its self-limiting nature.

Findings

Transient parotitis after upper GI endoscopy is rare and typically resolves within 24 hours.

Ultrasound is crucial for diagnosis to rule out abscess or lymph node enlargement.

Symptomatic treatment with analgesics and warm compresses is effective for this condition.

Abstract

Upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, though generally safe, can rarely cause complications such as transient parotitis, which typically resolves within 24 hours. Parotitis may occur due to salivary duct blockage, venous congestion from straining, or reflex parasympathetic stimulation. We discuss a 33-year-old chronic alcoholic man who developed right parotid gland swelling immediately following an upper GI endoscopy, conducted without sedation to evaluate his epigastric pain, vomiting, anorexia, and weight loss. His blood tests and abdominal ultrasound were normal. Patient developed sharp pain and swelling in the right parotid gland post-procedure. An ultrasound revealed diffuse gland swelling without abscess or lymph node enlargement. He was treated with analgesics, warm compresses, and a semisolid diet, leading to symptom resolution within 12 hours. Post-endoscopy transient parotitis is rare and typically benign, with limited evidence from case reports and small series. Diagnosis through ultrasound is crucial to exclude other causes, and treatment is mainly symptomatic, involving analgesics and warm compresses, with antibiotics if infection is suspected. This case report and brief review of literature underscore the self-limiting nature of transient parotitis following endoscopy.

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