Acute Suppurative Parotitis in Infancy: A Case Report in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Acute suppurative parotitis (ASP) is a rare entity in early infancy. The clinical presentation may be non-specific. We present the case of a 90-day-old breastfed male infant with massive purulent drainage from the Stensen duct into the oral cavity. Ultrasonography of the right parotid gland revealed an enlarged parotid gland with heterogeneous echogenicity compatible with Acute Suppurative Parotitis (ASP), without any sialolithiasis. Culture of the exudate yielded growth of Staphylococcus aureus. Based on the clinical presentations and ultrasound findings, a diagnosis of right ASP was made. The patient responded well to a 14-day antibiotic therapy and supportive measures. ASP should be considered as a differential diagnosis of a neonatal parotid swelling with purulent drainage from the Stensen duct into the mouth, since early and prompt diagnosis prevents morbidity and complications.