Here is a list of the diseases that affect the salivary glands, with definition, causes and management of each .
- Causes :
- Psychogenic.
- Prior to vomiting.
- Secondary to oral pathology e.g. stomatitis.
Causes :
- Dehydration.
- Psychogenic.
- Sjogren's syndrome .
- Radiotherapy.
- Drugs e.g. anticholinergics and antihistaminics.
- Acute sialadenitis may be due to mumps (parotitis) or bacteria.
Clinical picture :
Painful swelling of the submandibular gland after eating.
Stones can sometimes be felt in the floor of the mouth.
Investigations :
Sialography and Plain X-ray will show the stone.
Treatment : Surgical removal.
- The pleomorphic adenoma is the commonest which may turn malignant.
- Malignant tumors usually result in lower motor neurone lesion of facial nerve.
Sarcoidosis can involve salivary gland. e.g. in cases of Heerfordt's and Mikulicz syndromes .
Ptyalism
- It is Excessive salivation .- Causes :
- Psychogenic.
- Prior to vomiting.
- Secondary to oral pathology e.g. stomatitis.
Xerostomia
- It is dryness of the mouth .Causes :
- Dehydration.
- Psychogenic.
- Sjogren's syndrome .
- Radiotherapy.
- Drugs e.g. anticholinergics and antihistaminics.
Sialadenitis
- It is inflammation of the salivary glands .- Acute sialadenitis may be due to mumps (parotitis) or bacteria.
Salivary Calculi
- These occur occasionally in the submandibular gland or its ducts.Clinical picture :
Painful swelling of the submandibular gland after eating.
Stones can sometimes be felt in the floor of the mouth.
Investigations :
Sialography and Plain X-ray will show the stone.
Treatment : Surgical removal.
Tumors of of Salivary glands
- The majority occur in the parotid gland.- The pleomorphic adenoma is the commonest which may turn malignant.
- Malignant tumors usually result in lower motor neurone lesion of facial nerve.
Sarcoidosis can involve salivary gland. e.g. in cases of Heerfordt's and Mikulicz syndromes .
