Salivary Gland Enlargement Flashcards
Give some reasons there may be changes in salivary gland size
Viral inflammation
- mumps or HIV
Secretion retention
- mucocele
- duct obstruction
Gland hyperplasia
- sialosis or sjogrens
Give some symptoms of mumps
Headache
Joint pain
Nausea
Dry mouth
Facial and neck swelling
Pyrexia over 38 degrees
Mild abdominal pain
1/3 no symptoms
Symptoms worse with age
How can HIV affect salivary glands?
HIV can be a cause of salivary swelling
Unexplained salivary swelling
May have no HIV symptoms first
Generally does not improve with treatment
What is a mucocele? Where often found?
Obstruction of minor salivary gland
- swelling of mucosa
- filled with saliva
Often on lower lip or junction of hard and soft palate
What is subacute obstruction?
Salivary duct obstruction / swelling associated with meals
- increases as salivary flow starts
- reduces when salivary flow slows
Can be progressive over weeks and eventually becomes fixed
What can cause subacute obstruction?
Sialolith - salivary stone
‘Mucous’ plugging
Ductility damage due to chronic infection and scarring
Duct stricture
- damage of low grade infection to the duct
How investigate subacute obstruction?
Low dose plain radiography
- lower true occlusal
Sialography
- when infection free
How manage subacute obstruction?
Surgical stone removal if practical
Consider gland removal if fixed swelling