TY - JOUR T1 - Blunt trauma to the parotid gland JF - Emergency Medicine Journal JO - Emerg Med J SP - 402 LP - 403 DO - 10.1136/emj.18.5.402 VL - 18 IS - 5 AU - O D Smith AU - D J McFerran AU - N Antoun Y1 - 2001/09/01 UR - http://emj.bmj.com/content/18/5/402.abstract N2 - Trauma involving the parotid gland is rare and is usually caused by penetrating injuries or fractures of the facial skeleton. A unique case is presented of rupture of the parotid gland after a minor external force in a 14 year old boy. The radiological findings are presented, which pointed to diffuse rupture of the gland parenchyma with an intact duct system. A conservative management policy using antibiotics and anticholinergics was effective, with complete resolution of symptoms. A literature review of more serious parotid injuries supported the conservative management policy. ER -