The effect of parotid gland examination and massage on serum amylase levels in patients with acute parotitis

Parotid gland is one of the major salivary glands, releasing 25–30% of saliva and 80% of amylase. In ear-nose-throat (ENT) practice, where parotid gland pathologies are suspected, parotid massage is performed in cases of parotid grand palpation, Stensen’s duct inspection on the oral cavity and saliva secretion to observe suppuration. Examining sensitivity with palpation helps to understand if there are any masses within the parotid gland, if the mass is painful, if there is edema or saliva secretion from the Stensen’s duct, and serous or purulent character of the secretion guides diagnosis. Salivary amylase represents basically 10–20% of all proteins synthesized from the parotid gland and produced in salivary glands. Amylase inhibits both growth of some microbiological agents and their adhesion to intact tissue. Amylase is also used in diagnosis since it is a specific enzyme released by salivary glands. Serum amylase levels may be elevated in conditions that affect salivary glands such as acute and chronic pancreatitis, perforated peptic ulcer, ectopic pregnancy rupture, pancreatic cyst, parotitis and mumps, but may also be found at increased levels in many other disorders including fluid balClinical Research