Painful parotid hypertrophy with bulimia: a report of medical management

J Drugs Dermatol. 2009 Jun;8(6):577-9.

Abstract

In eating disorders, such as bulimia nervosa, body image disturbance often extends beyond the realm of weight and shape into the dermatologic spectrum. While commonly associated conditions due to binging and self-induced vomiting include cutaneous entities (e.g., Russell's sign, acne, alopecia and hypertrichosis) and oral pathologies (e.g., enamel erosion, caries and mild parotid hypertrophy), a rare but troubling manifestation is disfiguring parotid enlargement (sialoadenomegaly). This article presents a case of painful sialoadenomegaly associated with hyperamylasemia in a bulimic patient successfully managed with pilocarpine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bulimia / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperamylasemia / etiology
  • Hypertrophy
  • Pain / drug therapy
  • Pain / physiopathology*
  • Parotid Gland / pathology*
  • Parotid Gland / physiopathology
  • Pilocarpine / therapeutic use*
  • Sublingual Gland / pathology

Substances

  • Pilocarpine