Pneumoparotitis as a complication of long-term oronasal positive airway pressure for sleep apnea.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Parotid swelling is rarely caused by pneumoparotitis from retrograde insufflation of air into Stensen's duct. Previous reports have identified occupational exposures, self-induced habits, exercise, spirometry, and short-term positive pressure airway ventilation as causes of salivary duct insufflation. METHODS: We present 2 cases of pneumoparotitis in patients on long-term oronasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for obstructive sleep apnea. RESULTS: A diagnosis of pneumoparotitis was made by CT scan in case 1 and sialography in case 2. Patients were advised to transition from oronasal to nasal-only CPAP. One patient was successfully transferred and had good symptomatic improvement, whereas the second patient did not tolerate nasal CPAP and had persistent symptoms on oronasal CPAP. CONCLUSION: Long-term use of oronasal CPAP is a potential cause of pneumoparotitis.