Parotid Swelling, Alcoholism and Cirrhosis

CHRONIC, noninflammatory enlargement of the parotid glands has been noted in populations whose food supplies are inadequate and in this country has been reported in persons suffering from malnutrition1 and certain chronic diseases.2 , 3 Chronic alcoholism is frequently responsible for severe malnutrition, and both conditions are widely considered fundamental in the etiology of Laënnec's cirrhosis of the liver. It is relevant that parotid enlargement also has been observed in alcoholic patients with hepatic cirrhosis in Italy and France.4 5 6 This report presents clinical and laboratory observations on 16 patients with hepatic cirrhosis associated with chronic alcoholism who had bilateral, symmetrical parotid swelling. . . .