Nontyphoidal Salmonellosis presented as a parotid abscess within a Warthin′s tumor: Case report and review of literature

Abstract

Most suppurative parotid abscesses are caused by bacterial infection via the Stensen′s duct. Formation of a unilateral parotid abscess secondary to Salmonella enterocolitis seldom occurs, and cases arising in the setting of a previous existing parotid tumor have rarely been described to date. This study presents a 71-year-old male patient having a parotid abscess. This was caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. enteritidis) in an apparently immunocompetent adult with an inherent parotid tumor. The pathology is consistent with a Warthin′s tumor with infarction. By integrating surgical and antimicrobial drug therapy, the disease responded well to treatment. Despite an increasing incidence of extraintestinal salmonellosis in the past decades, a clinical practitioner must maintain a high index of suspicion for rare locations, such as the parotid gland, after uncomplicated bacteremia accompanying enterocolitis. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are necessary for the prevention of lethal complications.

Keywords

• Parotid abscess
• nontyphoidal Salmonella
• Salmonella enteritidis
• Warthin′s tumor