Salivary Gland Diseases

Stones in Salivary Glands

Submandibular Stone

Submandibular Stone

Tonsil Obstruction

  • Salivary gland diseases are common in ENT practice.

  • Stones in the sub-mandibular gland leading to swelling and inflammation are the most common cause of submandibular gland swellings.

  • Stones in the sub-mandibular gland are best removed by surgical removal of the submandibular gland.

  • If stones are seen in the floor of mouth, these can be removed intra-orally.

  • Stones are rarer in the parotid gland and usually seen in Stensons duct. Endoscopic removal can be performed.

Parotid Gland Tumor

Parotid Tumor

  • Parotid gland tumors usually present as a lump below the ear lobe or at the angle of jaw.

  • They are mostly benign (90%).

  • The most common tumor is that of a pleomorphic adenoma.

  • A local excision of this parotid mass is not advised because of danger to the facial nerve and extension of tumor outside of the pseudo-capsule. Hence, surgical removal would require a rim of normal parotid tissue outside the tumor capsule as in a superficial parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation is the operation of choice.

  • The minimum operation is a superficial parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation.

Recurrent Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Parotid Gland

Recurrent Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Parotid Gland with skin involvement

Facial Nerve Preservation after Total Parotidectomy

Operative Spectrum of recurrent parotid tumour with overlaying skin

  • This patient has a recurrent pleomorphine adenoma because of inadequate primary surgery.

  • A total parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation including uninvolved skin around the previous scar in the minimum operation.