Salivary Gland Problems

You have 4 major salivary glands (two parotid and two submandibular glands). If a stone is present, the duct has a narrowing in or you develop chronic inflammation of the gland – it can lead to intermittent swelling of the glands when eating or just even thinking about food. Apart from swelling – itchiness and pain can also be present. In worse cases it can lead to an infection of the gland with pus draining from the duct and the gland feeling warm, red and tender to touch.

Firstly the ENT surgeon will examine you to see if a palpable stone is present, determine the size and location of the opening of the duct and assess your mouth opening and anatomy. An ultrasound (or CT scan) is often requested if the diagnosis is not clear or to assess the size of the stone. Then a sialoendoscopy will be performed (most of the time under general anaesthesia) to identify and treat the cause. It is a small 0.8 – 1.6mm scope that can be passed into the duct. If this fails the gland can be excised if still symptomatic. So a sialo endoscopy is a minimal invasive technique to diagnose and treat pathology of the duct of the gland.