SALIVARY GLANDS
Mucocele
AETIOLOGY
Due to extravasation of mucous from a damaged
salivary gland duct
Seen most frequently in the lower lip
PRESENTATION
Dome shaped lesion, translucent and often painless
- These rupture and reoccur frequently
- A ranula is a mucocele in the floor of the mouth.
TREATMENT
- If small and asymptomatic require no treatment.
- Larger lesions may be excised
Mucocele on the
lower lip
Salivary duct obstruction
AETIOLOGY
Due to a salivary calculus in the duct. Submandibular
gland is affected more frequently.
PRESENTATION
Pain and swelling associated with meal times.
A stone may be palpable
TREATMENT
Depends on the location of the stone. It may
be possible to incise the duct and remove the stone.
Submandibular salivary
calculus
Salivary gland neoplasms
75% involve the parotid of which 60% are pleomorphic
adenomas , majority of which are benign.
Majority of tumours of the submandibular and
sublingual glands are malignant.
5% of slow growing lumps in the palate are
malignant
PRESENTATION
Typically asymptomatic swelling in one gland.
Facial nerve palsy, pain and rapid increase
in size are poor prognostic indicators.
TREATMENT
Surgical excision of the gland followed by
radiotherapy for some tumours.
Swelling of the
parotid gland caused by a tumour
Acute infection or sialadenitis
Can affect any of the major glands when flow
is obstructed.
Usually responds to a combination of flucloxacillin
and metronidazole.
Parotid Abscess
