Transoral removal of submandibular hilar lithiasis: results on the salivary duct system, glandular parenchyma, and quality-of-life recovery.

OBJECTIVE(S): To confirm that hilar transoral submandibular sialolitectomy (TOSL) is the first treatment option for submandibular hilar lithiasis (SHL) in terms of glandular parenchyma recovery, salivary system restoration, and patient quality of life (QoL) improvement. METHODS: Depending on whether the stone was easily palpable, TOSL was carried out with or without sialendoscopy. For the first time in the literature, Magnetic Resonance Sialography (MR-Si) was performed before and after TOSL, to evaluate stone characteristics, glandular parenchyma status, hilum dilation and main duct recanalization. Radiological data was examined independently by two radiologists. COSQ, a recently validated and specific questionnaire, was used to assess associated QoL. RESULTS: Between 2017 and 2022, 29 TOSL patients were examined. With a high interobserver correlation, MR-Si was confirmed as a very useful radiological test in the pre- and post-surgical evaluation of SHL. The salivary main duct was completely recanalized in all cases. The presence of lithiasis was found in 4 patients (13.8%). After surgery, the majority of patients (79.31%) had hilum dilation. There was a statistically significant improvement in parenchyma status, but no significant progression to glandular atrophy. After surgery, COSQ mean values always improved (22.5 to 4.5). CONCLUSIONS: TOSL is the ideal surgical technique for the management of SHL, resulting in improved parenchymal inflammatory changes, recanalization of Wharton's duct, and enhancement patients' QoL. As a result, before removing the submandibular gland, TOSL should be considered as the first treatment option for SHL.

Concurrent giant sialoliths within the submandibular gland parenchyma and distal segment of Wharton's duct: Novel case report.

OBJECTIVE: This article discusses the clinical significance of an unusual case of the simultaneous occurrence of 2 giant sialoliths within the ipsilateral submandibular gland and distal aspect of Wharton's duct in a 63-year-old patient. BACKGROUND: The majority of submandibular gland sialoliths are found in Wharton's duct, with fewer within the gland parenchyma. Giant sialoliths (exceeding 15 mm in size) are rare. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An asymptomatic, otherwise healthy older patient sought dental care and underwent a comprehensive oral and radiographic examination. RESULTS: A panoramic radiograph revealed 2 incidental radiopaque structures, representing giant sialoliths within the submandibular gland and along the distal segment of Wharton's duct. This synchronous finding apparently represents the first case reported in the geriatric literature. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of 1 salivary stone should heighten the scrutiny for additional stones. Practitioners should carefully weigh the risk of sialolith removal versus deferment of treatment in older medically compromised patients.

Post-sialendoscopy ductoplasty by salivary duct stent placements.

With damage to a duct or papilla after sialendoscopy, a stent may be necessary to prevent re-stenosis and for maintaining the salivary duct open after complete sialendoscopy. However factors affecting outcomes and complications after stent placement remain unclear. This study aimed to report preliminary experiences in salivary duct stent placement after sialendoscopy. Data from 35 procedures in 33 patients who received sialendoscopy with salivary duct stent placements at Mackay Memorial Hospital between October 2013 and June 2014 were recorded and compared for clinical data, as well as procedural techniques, findings, and outcomes. In the 35 stent placement procedures, the hypospadias silastic stent tubes were used in 27 and the Fr. 5 pediatric feeding tubes were used in the remaining eight. When the hypospadias silastic stent tubes were used for stenting, the stent obstruction and irritation rates were higher compared to those who used the Fr. 5 pediatric feeding tube (100 vs. 0 % and 67 vs. 33 %, respectively). None of the stents secured by a 5-0 nylon suture were complicated by dislocation but when the stents were secured by 6-0 nylon sutures, the dislocation rate went as high as 47.4 %. The duration needed for salivary duct stent placement might be potentially shortened to only 2 weeks. If a salivary duct stent is intended to be placed for a certain period before its scheduled removal, a suture strength equivalent or stronger than the 5-0 nylon suture should be considered for stent fixation.

Removal of sialoliths using the intraoral approach in 15 horses.

This study describes the use of an intraoral approach for sialolith removal in horses. All horses resumed their previous activity after surgery. Sialoliths were composed mainly of calcium carbonate, containing a nidus of plant material. The removal of sialoliths via an intraoral approach results in a high success rate with minimal complications.

Enlèvement des sialolithes en utilisant une approche intraorale chez 15 chevaux. Cette étude décrit l'utilisation d'une approche intra-orale pour l'enlèvement des sialolithes chez les chevaux. Tous les chevaux ont repris leurs activités antérieures après la chirurgie. Les sialolithes étaient principalement composés de carbonate de calcium contenant un nidus de matériau végétal. L'enlèvement des sialolithes par une approche intra-orale se traduit par un taux de succès élevé avec un minimum de complications.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

[Giant sialolithiasis: Diagnosis and management. Case reports]. / Óriásnyálkövek: Diagnózis és kezelés.

Sialolithiasis is one of the most frequent form of calcifications in the maxillofacial area. 0.45% of the population is affected by symptoms caused by salivary calculi, though the estimated frequency including asymptomatic form may exceed 1% in adult population. Radiographs presenting a large portion of the maxillofacial region (panoramic radiography, computed tomography) could detect salivary calculi with high accuracy. The size of the sialoliths is usually less than 10 mm in diameter. Salivary calculi larger than 15 mm (considering the largest diameter) are classified as giant sialoliths and most of them are located in the submandibular gland or in its duct. Two unusually large submandibular salivary calculi cases are represented (diameters of 27 and 34 mm), whereas in one of the cases development and dimensional changes of the calculus are described via a seven years period. This case report represents diagnostic and therapeutic consequences in giant sialolithiasis and demonstrates possible differential diagnostic difficulties. Orv. Hetil., 2016, 157(49), 1967-1972.

Case report of giant sialolith (megalith) of the Wharton's duct.

Sialolithiasis is the most common disease of salivary glands. Its estimated frequency is 1.2% in the adult population. Sialoliths most commonly occur in the submandibular glands. The sublingual gland and minor salivary glands are rarely affected. The sialolith usually measures from 1 to <10 mm. Giant sialoliths are classified as those exceeding 15 mm in any one dimension. In literature, large sialoliths or megalith (> mm) of Wharton's duct have rarely been reported. This case report describes a patient presenting with an unusually large sialolith (megalith) of Wharton's duct, which was 37 mm ×16 mm in the size, the subsequent patient management, the etiology, diagnosis, and its treatment.

[Prevention of lingual nerve damage by removing stones from submandibular salivary gland duct]. / Profilaktika povrezhdenii yazychnogo nerva pri udalenii konkrementov iz protoka podnizhnechelyustnoi slyunnoi zhelezy.

The aim of the study was to elaborate lingual nerve sparing procedure of submandibular gland duct stones extraction. The study involved 43 patients with syalolithiasis treated in Oral Surgery Unit of Central Research Institute of Dentistry and Maxillofacial Surgery in 2013-2015. It was shown that to prevent lingual nerve and artery injury submandibular salivary gland duct should be dissected to the level of obstruction thus allowing adequate visualization of anatomical correlations especially when removing stones from the distal part of the duct.

Sialolithiasis in horses: A retrospective study of 25 cases (2002-2013).

This study evaluated outcomes of surgical treatment of equine sialolithiasis, highlighting cases involving the proximal parotid salivary duct. Sialoliths in the proximal parotid duct were difficult to identify radiographically and more frequently associated with draining tracts and sialadenitis compared with sialoliths in the distal parotid duct. Ultrasonography confirmed the diagnosis of sialolithiasis in all cases in which there was no radiographic evidence of a sialolith. All cases of proximal parotid duct sialolithiasis required transcutaneous removal. A longer duration of illness was observed in cases of proximal parotid duct sialolithiasis compared with cases involving the distal parotid duct, and in cases requiring transcutaneous removal compared with cases requiring transoral removal. Recurrence of sialolithiasis was documented in 24% of cases, all of which were located in the distal parotid duct. The average time to recurrence was 2.8 years.

Sialolithiase chez les chevaux : une étude rétrospective de 25 cas (2002­2013). Cette étude a évalué les résultats du traitement chirurgical de la sialolithiase équine et a mis en lumière des cas touchant le canal salivaire parotidien proximal. Les sialolithes du canal de Sténon étaient difficiles à identifier par radiographie et sont plus fréquemment associés à des faisceaux de drainage et à la sialadénite par opposition à des sialolithes dans le canal de Sténon distal. L'échographie a confirmé le diagnostic de sialolithiase dans tous les cas où il y avait des preuves radiographiques d'un sialolithe. Tous les cas de sialolithiase du canal salivaire parotidien proximal ont exigé une ablation transcutanée. Une plus longue durée de la maladie a été observée dans les cas de sialothiase du canal salivaire parotidien proximal par opposition aux cas touchant le canal de Sténon distal et, dans les cas exigeant l'ablation transcutanée par opposition aux cas exigeant l'enlèvement transoral. La récurrence de la sialolithiase a été documentée dans 24 % des cas et ils étaient tous situés dans le canal salivaire distal. Le délai moyen avant la récurrence était de 2,8 ans.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).

Wharton's duct retropapillary approach.

Salivary lithiasis is more frequently encountered in patients with Wharton's duct. They are often treated with a minimally invasive technique, such as sialendoscopy. The problem with sialendoscopy, in some cases, has been that it will not be possible to cannulate the papilla and, thus, sialendoscopy will not be feasible. Therefore, we have developed and detailed a retropapillary approach to cannulate Wharton's duct in such cases.

The use of sialendoscopy for the treatment of multiple salivary gland stones.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to document our experience with sialendoscopy for the treatment of multiple calculi of the salivary ducts, as well as to discuss the technique and indications for the procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective non-interventional study, 530 consecutive cases of sialolithiasis were investigated, and the cases with multiple calculi were selected for further analysis. These selected cases were analyzed from clinical and surgical aspects. RESULTS: Multiple calculi were detected in 37 of 530 consecutive investigated sialolithiasis cases. The gender distribution was 15 men and 22 women, with a mean age of 40.4 years. Among these patients, the submandibular gland was affected in 33 cases (right in 13 and left in 20) and the parotid gland was affected in 4 cases (right in 3 and left in 1). As for complications, 1 patient had a postoperative infection and 2 other patients had postoperative ranulas that were considered minor complications. Among all 37 cases, we had 3 cases in which preoperative imaging (sonography in 1 and radiography in 2) showed a single sialolith in the duct, but failed to show further sialoliths that were discovered later by sialendoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The use of sialendoscopy allows a better diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment for multiple calculi. Interventional sialendoscopy allows the extraction of sialoliths in most patients, preventing open gland excision or surgical removal of the gland even in cases with multiple calculi. Sialendoscopy allows exploration of the ductal system in detail. This technique helps to discover additional stones in the ductal system that could not have been identified with the conventional imaging modalities available.

The treatment of large sialoliths by sialendoscopic combined approach.

PURPOSE: To investigate the advantages, disadvantages, and complications of the combined surgical technique for removing large sialoliths from the salivary glands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 37 patients with obstructive sialadenitis caused by sialolithiasis who could not undergo surgery using a purely sialendoscopic technique because of the stone size or because of a tight distal stricture obstructing the passage of stone removal by an endoscope. RESULTS: Six patients had parotid gland obstruction, and the other 31 patients had submandibular gland obstruction. The calculi varied in size from 5 to 45 mm (average, 10.4 mm). Twenty-three stones were located at the hilar part of the gland or in the proximal part of the duct close to the hilum. The other 14 stones were located in the middle third of the duct. Thirty patients had no complications and were free of symptoms, with normal saliva secretion checked by milking the gland. Five patients developed minor complications that were treated under local anesthesia. Only 2 patients developed severe ductal restenosis and required further sialadenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The combined technique showed good results for removing large sialoliths or proximally located sialoliths that could not have been removed by sialendoscopy alone. The use of an endoscope enables further exploration of the remaining duct, allowing for the removal of further sialolith and reconstruction of the duct after sialolith removal. The technique is not limited to stone size or location along the duct.

Foreign body induced sialolithiasis treated by sialoendoscopic intervention.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to identify the impact of sialolith formation by reviewing the foreign body induced sialolithiasis treated by sialoendoscopic intervention. METHODS: The study group included 13 patients whose sialolithiasis was induced by foreign body. After the routine radiographic examination, sialoendoscopic procedures were performed. Then, the treatment protocol was designed. RESULTS: The occupations of the 13 patients included 5 fishermen, 3 office workers, 2 workers, 1 teacher, 1 farmer, and 1 retired police officer. All patients had a unique diet habit-seafood. Eleven patients had a remembered incident of implanted fish bone and the following symptoms, with either obstructions or infections. Only 2 of the 13 had no memory of such an injury. All the stones were in the ducts of submandibular glands. In 10 procedures, there was 1 solitary stone, whereas 2 stones were encountered in 3 procedures. After being removed, 16 stones were crushed to expose the fish bone nidus of the stone. There was relief of symptoms after the procedures. CONCLUSIONS: This study supported the possibility that some sialoliths resulted from a retrograde migration within the salivary ducts. In our study, the occupations (fisherman), the diet habit (seafood), and the injury history (a remembered incident of implanted fish bone and the following symptoms) were obviously related to the stone formation that was induced by the fish bone.

[Sialoendoscopy-assisted sialolithectomy for large parotid stones].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical application of endoscope-assisted operative retrieval of large parotid stones as a minimally invasive alternative. METHODS: From January 2010 to April 2013, 6 patients (male: 5, female: 1, age from 30-62 years, and median age: 49.5 years)suffering from recurred swelling of parotid gland due to sialoliths were treated by endoscope-assisted parotid surgery in Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. All of the patients underwent clinical, ultrasonographic and cone-beam CT (CBCT) examinations to get the detailed information of the number, location and size of stones, which was recorded in the medical records. endoscope-assisted parotid surgery was performed under general anesthesia in all the 6 cases after the failure of basket or forcep retrieval firstly. During the operation, sialoendoscope was used to locate the stone exactly and then the calculus was exposed through a pre-auricular approach and released by incising the duct. The postoperative complications were recorded and observed during the follow-up periods. RESULTS: Preoperative radiological examinations showed that all of the sialoliths were near the hilum of parotid gland ducts in the 6 cases, which were 5-9 mm in diameter. All of the stones were removed successfully by endoscope-assisted operative retrieval. The incisions healed smoothly in all the 6 cases. There were no cases of facial nerve weakness, infection or salivary fistula. After a mean follow-up of 19 months (ranging from 6-36 months), 5 patients remained asymptomatic and 1 patient had mild obstructed or infective symptoms. The final results were satisfied. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that endoscope-assisted operative retrieval is a viable minimally invasive alternative to remove the large or recalcitrant parotid stones with a high successful rate and low complications.

Histological and chemical view on parotid duct sialolithiasis in the Slovakian warmblood mare.

The parotid duct has been reported to be the most common site of sialoliths in horses. In this case report, we described the first confirmed case of the equine sialolithiasis in Slovakia. The work was aimed to describe the transcutaneous approach to removing the sialolith, which manifested as a hard painless mass in the area of the maxillary cheek teeth, in a 14-year-old Slovakian warmblood mare. Pathological-anatomical and histological examination after extirpation confirmed the presence of parotid duct ectasia resulting from calculus. The mineral composition of the sialolith was determined with atomic absorption spectroscopy using X-ray powder diffraction. The sialolith was successfully extirpated transcutaneously, without complications or recurrence.

Sialoendoscopy-assisted sialolithectomy for submandibular hilar calculi.

PURPOSE: To assess the clinical effects of endoscopy-assisted sialolithectomy for submandibular hilar calculi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was undertaken in 70 patients with symptomatic stones in the hilum of submandibular glands who underwent endoscopy-assisted sialolithectomy from December 2005 through March 2011 in the Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology. The operative data were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were followed periodically postoperatively. Submandibular gland function was investigated by postoperative symptoms, clinical examinations, sialography, and scintigraphy. RESULTS: Submandibular stones were successfully removed in 65 patients, with a success rate of 92.9%. Temporary lingual nerve injury occurred in 1 patient. Two patients developed ranulae and underwent an uneventful sublingual gland excision. During a mean follow-up of 23 months (range, 6 to 55 mo), 52 of 65 patients were symptom free, whereas 11 patients complained of occasional swelling of the affected gland at mealtimes and 2 patients developed a recurrent stone. Thirty patients underwent postoperative sialography. The sialographic appearances included 4 types: 1) approximately normal; 2) the main duct was significantly dilated at the hilum, but no persistent contrast was seen on the functional film; 3) the main duct was significantly dilated in the hilar region, and persistent contrast was seen at the dilated hilum of the functional film; 4) the main duct was dilated or strictured, and persistent contrast was seen on the functional film. Three of the 4 patients who underwent scintigraphy exhibited good function. CONCLUSIONS: Sialoendoscopy-assisted sialolithectomy is a safe and effective gland-preservation technique for patients with hilar stones of the Wharton's duct.

Percutaneous approach for sialolith removal in a donkey.

Salivary duct lithiasis is a condition characterized by the partial or total obstruction ofa salivary gland or its excretory duct due to the formation of sialoliths. A 9-year-old female donkey, belonging to the unique and endangered indigenous breed of donkey in Portugal, was diagnosed with a sialolith in the rostral portion of the right parotid duct based on clinical, oral, dental, and radiographic examination results. Surgical removal of the sialolith was done through a percutaneous approach.

Bilateral carcinoma in situ of Wharton's duct after chronic obstructive sialadenitis: inflammation as the cause of malignancy?

A case of bilateral carcinoma in situ of Wharton's duct after chronic sialadenitis is reported. The patient, a 54-year-old man, complained of recurrent pain and swelling in the left lower submandibular region. Computed tomography showed large stones in the hilar area of both submandibular glands. The patient underwent bilateral submandibular excision. Histologic and immunohistochemical examination revealed squamous metaplasia with areas of carcinoma in situ in both right and left ducts adjacent to the calculus. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report in the literature describing an association between obstructive sialadenitis and carcinoma in situ of Wharton's duct. We discuss etiologic factors and chronic inflammation as a possible cause of malignancy.

[Sialendoscopy--learning curve and nation-wide survey in German ENT-departments]. / Sialendoskopie--Lernkurve und Verbreitung in deutschen HNO-Kliniken.

BACKGROUND: Sialendoscopy is an established, minimal-invasive technique to diagnose and treat obstructive diseases of major salivary glands. Knowledge on learning curve and distribution in Germany is limited. MATERIAL UND METHODS: An 11 item questionnaire on Sialendoscopy was sent to all 159 German ent-hospitals. To determine the learning curve, all patients that underwent sialendoscopy during a 1-year-period after invention of sialendoscopy in our department were prospectively followed and evaluated. RESULTS: Sialendoscopy is currently performed in a minority (24%) of ent-departments in Germany. Denial was justified by technical problems, a lack of cost-benefit and small number of patients in descending order. A significant reduction of intervention time (61.0 ± 32.7 min to 43.2 ± 33.6 min, p=0.013) and less frequent aborted operations were noted after comparison of the first vs. the second half amount of interventions as indicators of a learning curve. Complications were not found to be significantly raised in the first half of interventions. CONCLUSION: The fact that sialendoscopy is provided in only a minority of ent-departments will in the future most likely be overcome by technical improvements. A learning curve has to be anticipated.

Giant submandibular sialolith: a case report.

Introduction: Salivary glands lithiasis (Sialolithiasis) is defined as calcified concretions in the salivary glands. Most common localization is in submandibular gland. Usually, submandibular stones are mainly located in Wharton's duct, whereas parotid stones are more often located in the gland parenchyma. Sialoliths are usually 5-10 mm in size, and stones more than 10 mm are unusual sizes. Exact etiology of sialolith formation is still unknown. Case Report: We discuss a case of a 70-year-old patient, presenting painful swelling and a giant submandibular gland sialolith successfully treated with open surgery. Conclusions: A careful anamnesis and physical examination of the patient are important in the diagnosis of sialolithiasis. In addition, several imaging techniques, such as panoramic X-rays and Ultrasound, can be applied. The management can be both medical and surgical.

Bilateral giant submandibular sialoliths and the role for salivary endoscopy.

Salivary stones larger than 15 mm are classified as giant sialoliths. They are uncommon in the practice of otolaryngology, and their management has always been a therapeutic challenge. Traditionally, when they cannot be retrieved by marsupialization, removal of the salivary gland has been advocated. Sialendoscopy and the recent development of combined endoscopic and external approaches for extraction of large stones with preservation of the major salivary glands are promising. We present the first case of simultaneous bilateral giant sialoliths, and the first report that associates giant sialoliths and the use of salivary endoscopy. In this case, both giant stones were removed with the assistance of a salivary endoscope and without removing the submandibular glands.