A patient presents with parotid duct inflammation. What is the likely cause?

The likely cause of parotid duct inflammation is salivary stone obstruction. Salivary stones, also known as sialoliths, can impede the flow of saliva through the duct, leading to discomfort, swelling, and inflammation of the gland. When saliva cannot flow due to these blockages, it can create a conducive environment for infection, thereby exacerbating the inflammation.

Other options may contribute to issues with the salivary glands but do not specifically lead to acute parotid duct inflammation as directly as obstruction. Dehydration can reduce saliva volume, potentially leading to sialolith formation over time, yet it does not directly cause inflammatory episodes. Systemic infections can affect the salivary glands but would typically involve other glands as well and present with broader symptoms. Poor oral hygiene may indirectly influence salivary function and contribute to infections, yet again, it would not specifically target the parotid duct in the same manner as a direct obstruction caused by a salivary stone.