Sialendoscopy for Sublingual Gland Sialolithiasis

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Innovation
• Salivary Gland Disorders

Background:

• Sublingual gland sialolithiasis is rare and often presents atypically.
• Traditional management may not be optimal for sublingual stones.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a unique series of sublingual gland sialolithiasis cases.
• To evaluate the efficacy of sialendoscopy in diagnosing and guiding treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of patients treated at a tertiary care center.
• Utilized sialendoscopy for diagnosis and stone localization.
• Surgical intervention involved transoral excision for large calculi.

Main Results:

• Four patients with sublingual sialolithiasis were treated.
• Sialendoscopy precisely located calculi within the sublingual duct of Bartholin.
• Large stone size necessitated transoral excision via floor of mouth incision.
• All patients experienced symptom resolution post-treatment.

Conclusions:

• Sublingual sialolithiasis has a distinct, non-obstructive presentation.
• Sialendoscopy aids in accurate stone identification and guides surgical approach.
• A combined sialendoscopic and transoral excision approach is effective.
• Transoral resection may reduce the risk of ranula formation.