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Unusual case of a sialolith: a case report
Tyler T Boynton1, Stuart E Lieblich2
1Resident, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT.
Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology
|August 28, 2012
Summary
Facial hair can cause salivary duct stones (sialoliths) by forming a nidus in Wharton's duct. This unusual case highlights a novel etiology for submandibular gland obstruction.
Area of Science:
- Dentistry
- Otolaryngology
- Pathology
Background:
- Sialoliths commonly cause salivary gland obstruction, particularly in the submandibular gland.
- Etiologies like dehydration and medications are considered but not definitively proven.
- Understanding sialolithiasis formation is crucial for effective management.
Observation:
- A case report details an unusual cause of sialolith formation.
- A patient's facial hair was observed to be entrapped in Wharton's duct.
- This entrapment served as the nucleus for stone development.
Findings:
- Facial hair can act as a nidus for sialolithiasis.
- Wharton's duct is susceptible to obstruction by foreign bodies.
- This presents a unique etiology for submandibular sialoliths.
Implications:
- This finding expands the known causes of salivary duct stones.
- Clinicians should consider foreign body entrapment, including hair, in sialolithiasis diagnosis.
- Further research may explore the prevalence of hair-induced sialoliths.
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