Clinical Entities that Mimic Salivary Inflammatory Disease

Purpose of Review Sialadenitis due to salivary obstruction is associated with characteristic intermittent pain and swelling of the affected gland. Common etiologies of adult salivary obstruction include salivary duct stones or duct stenosis. However, various pathologic processes can mimic obstructive salivary gland symptoms. This is a case-based review of pathologies that may present similar to the signs and symptoms of salivary obstruction with gland inflammation. Recent Findings Multiple cases with pathologies mimicking inflammatory salivary gland disease have been reported and described. This review uses a case-based approach to highlight the clinical presentation, exam, and imaging findings of disorders that imitate sialadenitis in order to describe approaches for achieving accurate diagnoses. Summary Cases involving nonobstructive salivary pathology are presented to demonstrate a broad differential diagnosis for facial and salivary gland swelling.