Iodide mumps due to low-osmolality contrast material

Swelling of the submandibular, sublingual, and parotid salivany glands is an uncommon complication associated with intravascular administration of contrast material. This reaction was called “iodide mumps” by Sussman and Miller [1] in 1956, although earlier cases had been reported [2, 3]. A search of the recent medical literature showed that since 1973, only three reports [4-6J of iodide mumps have been published. In a review of the information on package inserts for contrast material from four major pharmaceutical manufacturers (Squibb, Benlex, Mallincknodt, and Winthrop), we found that only one company, Winthrop, mentioned swelling of the salivary glands as a possible adverse reaction to iodinated contrast material. All reported cases in the English-language literature have been due to the intravascular injection of ionic contrast material. Inasmuch as not one of these cases was caused by low-osmolality contrast material, it might be concluded that the use of low-osmolality agents could eliminate the risk of iodide mumps. We therefore report a case of iodide mumps due to low-osmolality contrast material to show that such a conclusion would be erroneous.