salivary gland disorders Flashcards
How do we examine salivary glands
- Inspection from the front, side and hind the patient
- Compare left and right
- Palpate the submandibular gland
How many minor salivary glands are there in the oral mucosa
450 distributed throughout the mucosae, lips, cheeks, palates, floor of mouth and retro molar pad
What is saliva made up of
99.4% Water
0.6% Minerals and proteins
What makes up the inorganic portion of saliva
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Chloride
- Bicarbonate
- Hydrogen
- Iodine
- Flouride
- Calcium phospahte
What makes up the organic portion of saliva
- Urea
- Uric acid
- Amino acids
- Glucose
- Lactase
- Fatty acids
What makes up the macromolecules of saliva
- Serum protein
- Glycoproteins
- Perioxidases
- Amylase
- Lysozyme
- Lipase
- IgA, IgG, IgM
- Hormones
- Carbohydrates
How can we investigate salivary gland disease
- Sialometry
- Plane film radiography
- Ultrasounds
- Bloods
- MRI
- Biopsies
What does a sjogrens screen involve
1, FBC
2. HbA1c
3. Serum ACE levels
4. Serum immunoglobulins and electrophoresis
5. Hepatitis C serology and HIV serology if clinically suspicious
What is ultrasonography
High frequency sound waves
What is ultrasonography good for identifying
- Solid lesions
- Cysts
- Textural changes in Sjogrens
What is retrograde sialography
Radiographic examination of the ductal system using radio iodide as a contrast medium
What can retrograde sialography show
- Strictures
- Sialectasia (ductal dilatation)
- Filling defects
- Calculi, mucus pluds
What is Sialometry
Collection and investigation of whole saliva
Patient expectorates all saliva produced without forcing it for a timed 5 or 10 minutes
When might biopsies be indicated
- Excision for minor salivary glands
- Incisional for major salivary swellings
- A minor labial salivary gland biopsies
What are some symptoms for salivary gland problems
- Swelling
- Pain
- Discharge from duct
- Decreased saliva (Xerostomia)
- Increased saliva (Sialorrhoea)
How can we describe swellings in the salivary glands
- Localised vs generalised
- Unilateral or bilateral
- Persistent or transient
Give examples of salivary gland diseases we need to know about
- Obstructive Salivary Gland disease
- Xerostomia
- Sialorrhoea
- Sarcoidosis/HIV/GvHD related salivary gland disease
- Cancers
- Benign neoplasias e.g. pleomorphic adenoma and Warthin’s tumour
- Benign cysts/pseudocysts
- Acute/chronic sialadenitis
- Frey ’s syndrome
- Developmental abnormalities e.g. atresia or hypoplasia
- Primary and Secondary Sjogren’s syndrome
What is obstructive salivary gland disease due to
- Calculi
- Strictures
- Infections
What does sialadenitis
Inflammation of the salivary glands
What can sialadenitis be split into
- Infective sialadenitis
- Obstructive sialadenitis
What are salivary gland calculi termed
Sialoliths
What is the most common cause of obstructive sialadenitis in major glands
Calculi
What can structured be caused by
Trauma to the duct followed by fibrosis and often occur in conjunction with other pathologies
How can localised strictures be treated
Balloon dilation
What can acute obstruction be caused
Usually calculus or mucus plugs
What can acute obstruction present as
Recurrent pre prandial, painful swelling of a major salivary glands
How do we manage asymptomatic calculi
Acceptably to leave and monitor
How do we manage symptomatic calculi
- If they are small we can remove by incising the duct and releasing the stone
- Larger distal stones can be retrieved endoscopically via lithotripsy or by removal of the whole gland
What are the risks involved in surgical management of submandibular glands
- Damage to marginal mandibular nerve
Damage to the lingual nerve (leads to diminished somatic sensory sensation to the lingual tissues)
Damage to the hypoglossal nerve (leads to diminished motor function to tongue;
tongue deviates to affected side)
What are the risks involved with surgical management of submandibular glands
- Damage to marginal mandibular nerve
- Damage to the lingual nerve
- Damage to the hypoglossal nerve
What can damage to the marginal mandibular nerve lead to
Diminished motor innervation of muscles that depress and evert the whereas muscles that elevate the lower lip continue to act normally
What can damage to the Lingual nerve lead to
Leads to diminished somatic sensory sensation to the lingual tissues
What can damage to the hypogloassal nerve lead to
leads to diminished motor function to tongue;
tongue deviates to affected side
What are the risks involved with surgical management of parotid glands
Damage to facial nerve
Freys Syndrome