Occasionally a patient given an iodide-based contrast material may develop enlargement of one or more salivary glands. A similar syndrome may develop following administration of thiouracil or an iodine-containing expectorant.
Mechanism: Salivary glands are able to concentrate iodide from the plasma. High levels of iodide can be toxic to the salivary glands, causing swelling and inflammation.
Clinical features:
(1) enlargement of one or more salivary glands, usually the parotid and/or submandibular glands
(2) follows administration of an iodide-based contrast material
(3) onset may be in a few minutes, hours or days and may last a week
(4) plasma iodide levels are elevated
(5) the swollen salivary glands are painless
Risk factors:
(1) presence of renal insufficiency (reduced ability to eliminate)
(2) intravenous infusion of iodide-based contrast material
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