Clinical evaluation of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for salivary stones

The treatment of sialolithiasis is discussed in this report. Generally, stones within the distal salivary duct are easily removed by transoral ductotomy, although proximal stones are usually treated by excision of the salivary gland and its duct. Since 1980, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has been in clinical use for the treatment of renal and gallbladder stones. We used this technique as a treatment for sialolithiasis. We undertook ESWL on 14 submandibular gland stone patients and 1 parotid gland stone patient, clinical symptoms such as pain and swelling disappeared without excision of the affected salivary gland. Stones larger than 10 mm seem to have a tendency to form Steinstrassen. Although computed tomography findings correlate with success in breaking up gallstones, they did not predict success for salivary stones. We conclude that sialolithiasis is treated successfully without adverse effects by ESWL in selected patients.