Salivary glands

Question 1

what 3 pairs of salivary glands are there?

Answer 1

parotid (serous) - most tumours
submandibular (mixed) - most stones
sublingual (mucous)

Question 2

what is the pathology of salivary gland tumours?

Answer 2

80% parotid,

80% of these = pleomorphic adenomas,

80% superficial lobe

Question 3

what is the pathology of malignant rare tumours?

Answer 3

short hx, painful, hot skin, hard, fixation, CN VII involvement

Question 4

who does pleomorphic adenomas affect?

Answer 4

middle age

Question 5

at what rate do pleomorphic adenomas grow?

Answer 5

slow

Question 6

are pleomorphic adenomas painful?

Answer 6

no - painless lump

Question 7

what is the mx of pleomorphic adenoma and what is the risk of this?

Answer 7

superficial parotidectomy; risk = CN VII damage

Question 8

what is a pleomorphic adenoma?

Answer 8

benign

mixed parotid tumour

Question 9

what is a warthin’s tumour?

Answer 9

benign

adenolyphmomas

Question 10

what age/sex does warthog’s tumour affect?

Answer 10

males

middle age

Question 11

how does a warthin’s tumour present?

Answer 11

softer, more mobile and fluctuant (although difficult to differentiate)

Question 12

features of stones and mx

Answer 12

recurrent unilateral pain & swelling on eating
may become infected → Ludwig’s angina
80% are submandibular
plain x-rays; sialography
surgical removal

Question 13

other causes of salivary gland enlargement

Answer 13

acute viral infection e.g. mumps
acute bacterial infection e.g. 2nd to dehydration diabetes
sicca syndrome and Sjogren’s (e.g. RA)