Salivary Gland Stones (Sialolithiasis)

Salivary stones are small calcium deposits that form in the ducts of the salivary glands and block the flow of saliva. About 8 in 10 occur in the submandibular gland under the jaw, and most of the rest in the parotid gland in front of the ear.

The blocked gland swells and hurts when you eat and then settles again. Stones are not dangerous, but repeated blockage leads to infection and can scar the gland. Most stones can now be removed while keeping the gland.

Symptome

• Swelling under the jaw or in front of the ear at mealtimes
• Pain in the gland that eases within an hour or two of eating
• A gritty lump felt under the tongue
• Dry mouth or a foul taste
• A tender, red swelling with fever when the gland is infected
• Pus at the duct opening in the mouth

Ursachen und Risikofaktoren

Stones grow when minerals in saliva crystallise around a tiny core of debris or mucus. The submandibular gland is affected most because its saliva is thicker and richer in calcium and its duct runs upwards. Dehydration, medicines that dry the mouth, smoking, gout, a narrowed duct and low food intake during illness contribute. There is no link with kidney stones or with the calcium level in the blood.

Wie es diagnostiziert wird

• Examination: The surgeon feels along the duct with a finger inside and outside the mouth and looks for saliva flow at the opening.
• Ultrasound: The first-line test. It detects most stones above 2 mm and shows a widened duct.
• CT without contrast or cone beam CT: Finds small or multiple stones and locates them precisely.
• Sialendoscopy: A camera less than 2 mm wide is passed into the duct. It shows stones, narrowings and mucus plugs and is also the treatment.

Behandlungsmöglichkeiten

• Conservative measures: Drink plenty, massage the gland and suck sour sweets or lemon to push small stones out. Pain relief, and antibiotics if there is infection.
• Sialendoscopy with basket removal: Stones up to about 4 to 5 mm are retrieved through the natural duct opening, usually as a day case.
• Laser or pneumatic fragmentation: Larger stones are broken up inside the duct and the pieces removed.
• Transoral duct surgery: A small cut in the floor of the mouth releases larger submandibular stones, often guided by the endoscope.
• Combined endoscopic and external approach: For large parotid stones, which avoids removal of the gland.
• Gland removal: Reserved for glands destroyed by repeated infection or for stones that cannot be reached.

Wenn es dringend ist

Rapid swelling of the floor of the mouth or neck with fever, difficulty swallowing, difficulty opening the mouth or any trouble breathing means a spreading infection. Go to an emergency department near you immediately.

Reisen nach Türkiye zur Behandlung

Sialendoscopy is not available everywhere, and avoiding gland removal is a legitimate reason to look further afield. It is a planned day-case procedure that fits a stay of 3 to 5 days. Bring your ultrasound or CT. A temporary stent may be left in the duct for 2 to 4 weeks and can be removed by a local doctor. Do not travel during an acute infection. Have it treated at home first.

Senden Sie Ihre Berichte, Scans und eine kurze Geschichte und eine Clinic-Y Koordinator Antworten innerhalb von 24 Stunden mit geeigneten Teams und schriftlich, All-inclusive Vorschläge nebeneinander. Die Überprüfung Ihres Falls ist kostenlos.

Häufig gestellte Fragen