Parotiditis secondary to NIV interface

Excerpt

A 84-year-old woman with chronic restrictive lung disease was admitted to the ICU for acute respiratory failure secondary to thoracic traumatism. She was first treated with noninvasive ventilation through an oronasal mask, leading to an ulcer on the nasal bridge. A total face mask was therefore applied (Fig. 1). Two days later, she presented painful edema in front of the right ear (Fig. 2). An enhanced computed tomography scan of the face showed diffuse swelling and inflammation of the right parotid gland (Fig. 3, arrows). We assumed that this acute parotiditis was related to an external parotid duct (Stensen’s duct) compression by the mask. Successful treatment consisted of antibiotics therapy and avoiding the use of a total face mask.

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