Giant Salivary Gland Calculi (GSGC): Report Of Two Cases

Abstract

Sialolithiasis is the most common disease of salivary glands. It is a condition characterized by the obstruction of a salivary gland or its excretory duct due to the formation of calcareous concretions, resulting in salivary ectasia and even determining the subsequent dilatation of the salivary gland.

The sialolith usually measure from 1 mm to less than 10 mm. They rarely measure more than 15 mm. Infrequently giant salivary gland calculi (GSGC) >15 mm have been reported in the literature. The submandibular gland and its duct appear to be the sites most susceptible to this disease.

The aims of this article were: 1) report the cases of two patients suffering of sialolithiasis caused by giant salivary gland calculi occurring in the Wharton’s duct; and 2) present the results of the literature’s research on giant sialolith.

The diagnostic approach of the two cases consisted of trans-occlusal endoral radiography, orthopantomography, CTscan. The patient’s glands were treated with conservative trans-oral surgical technique stone removal in both cases, performed under local anaesthesia.

The glands recovered normal function quickly after removal of the stones.

For the patients the morbidity associated with salivary gland calculi removal follow-up showed asymptomatic and normally functioning glands.