WHAT IS A SALIVARY GLAND STONE?
When flow of saliva through the salivary gland slows down, material
in the duct can form stones. These stones block the outflow of
saliva, causing swelling and pain in the gland.
WHERE DOES THIS HAPPEN?
Stones can form in any of the major salivary glands.
These include the parotid gland and the submandibular
gland.
SYMPTOMS OF SALIVARY GLAND STONES
- Pain (parotid causes cheek pain, submandibular stones cause jaw
and mouth pain) - Swelling of the face
- Pain with eating
Diagnosis
careful examination
CT scan to confirm the presence of a stone.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Surgery – removal of the entire salivary gland and duct or
marsupialization of the duct with stone removal.
prevention
sialogogues substances that naturally increase salivary flow
- hydration to increase the amount of saliva, preventing stasis and build-up of stones in the duct system
- massage of the gland to manually move stones through the system, preventing large stone formation
- antibiotics to prevent infection from duct obstruction
Complications associated with surgery / injuries to nerves include:
- Loss of oral sensation
- Loss of taste
- Facial weakness
- Scarring associated with surgical incisions
- Facial deformity
- Occasionally, if the duct is not removed completely, recurrent symptoms may occur