Open Access
CC BY 4.0 · Journal of Health and Allied Sciences NU 2024; 14(02): 281-289
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1768590
Case Report

Sialolith with Sialadenitis: A Case Study and a Proposal of a Diagnostic Algorithm

1   Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences (ABSMIDS), Nitte Deemed to be University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
,
1   Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences (ABSMIDS), Nitte Deemed to be University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
,
1   Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology, A B Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences (ABSMIDS), Nitte Deemed to be University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
› Author Affiliations
 

Abstract

Sialolithiasis along with sialadenitis is one of the commonly occurring salivary gland disorders. Sialadenitis is an inflammatory disease of the salivary glands. It usually occurs insidiously causing pain to the patient and may lead to development of fibrous mass of the salivary gland. The cause of sialadenitis is most commonly due to the salivary duct caliculi which is termed as sialolith or salivary stones which causes statis of saliva in the ducts. This condition is usually accompanied by pain and tenderness of the involved site. Therefore, we report a case of a male patient aged 60 years with pain in the floor of the mouth in the submandibular region which was diagnosed as submandibular sialolithiasis along with sialadenitis and propose a diagnostic algorithm.


Introduction

Sialolithiasis occurs in approximately 1% of the general population. About 80 to 90% of salivary stones occur in submandibular gland.[1] The composition of sialolith can vary depending upon the concentrations of organic or inorganic components and the gland in which it has occurred. Submandibular gland sialoliths (SMGS) are usually composed of inorganic materials such as hydroxyapatite, brushite, and octacalcium phosphate.[2] The formation of SMGS is not a single process, it is influenced by various factors such as stasis of saliva, changes occurring in the salivary biochemistry, and accumulation of calcium phosphate.[2] The inflammation of the salivary gland is termed sialadenitis and it is an insidious disease usually affecting the major salivary glands and characterized by intermittent swelling, accompanied by pain and tenderness.[3] The microbiology of sialadenitis is not much reported in submandibular and sublingual glands. Bacterial colonies such as staphylococcus, streptococcus, and Gram-negative bacteria are the most common etiologic factors to cause this inflammatory condition.[4]

Since the exact etiology is still unclear there are few theories considered for the formation of sialoliths: (1) sialomicroliths agglomerating together, (2) mucus plug getting calcified, and (3) alteration of the saliva's biochemical composition. The composition of the sialoliths can be assessed through various methods such as wet chemical techniques, X-ray powder diffraction, and/or Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The FTIR is the most commonly accepted method since it is rapid and easily reproducible. The concept of FTIR is that the IR spectrum initially begins from the vibration of molecules. These motions of molecules due to vibration produces frequencies which are unique to individual compounds similar to that of fingerprints. This can be utilized for the classification of organic and inorganic compounds present. Similarly, in wet chemical analysis the quantification of ions and organic components can be calculated.[5] The most commonly accepted method for assessing the composition of lithiasis is wet chemical analysis method proposed by Larsson et al,[6] he had initially performed in urinary caliculi. The wet chemical method includes various steps such as:

  • (1) Drying and dissolution: Initially, the calculus must be weighed and needs to be pulverized in a mortar and to be dried over silica gel to completely desiccate at room temperature for 2 days.

  • (2) Later, 1 mL of concentrated nitric acid to be added to the powder, effervescence shows the presence of carbon.

  • (3) Next, the calculus needs to be completely dissolved and kept in magnetic stirring for 3 hours at room temperature for creating the sample solution to find the presence of particular component such as calcium, magnesium, ammonium, phosphate, oxalate, and urate. The sample solution shouldn't be diluted for the analysis of cysteine and protein but for rest it needs to be diluted.

  • (4) Result calculation: The molar concentrations and volume of sample solution can be used to evaluate the amount of analyte in µmol. The composition of calculus can be computed.[6]

The diagnosis of this disease is usually made clinically with conventional radiography such as orthopantomogram (OPG) or occlusal radiographs followed by surgical removal of the salivary stone and the gland involved.[5]


Case Report

Clinical Examination

A 60-year-old male patient presented with pain and swelling in the lower right side of the floor of the mouth for the past week. The history of pain was sudden in onset with moderate intensity and was continuous in nature. The patient did not state any aggravating or relieving factors. The patient also gave no relevant history about the change in the size of the mass. On extraoral examination, mild facial asymmetry was noted on the right side. On palpation of the right submandibular region, there was a diffused enlargement noted of approximately 2 cm × 2 cm in size roughly along with tender and palpable lymph nodes. There was no difficulty in mouth opening and closing along with normal jaw moments.


Radiographic Examination

An OPG was taken ([Fig. 1]). The OPG revealed a well-defined radiopaque mass seen superimposed in the right lower body of the mandible near the angle of the mandible of size approximately 3.5 mm × 1.7 mm in size and a provisional diagnosis of sialolith was considered. The patient was referred to the department of oral surgery for further management.

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Fig. 1 X-ray showing sialolith on right submandibular region (white arrow).

Surgical Intervention

The surgeons evaluated the patient and prepared for the removal of the sialolith along with the involved salivary gland. An excisional biopsy was performed and given for histological evaluation ([Fig. 2]).

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Fig. 2 (A) Preop picture of the patient with marking prior to removal of the sialolith and the involved submandibular gland. (B) Postop picture of the patient after the removal of sialolith along with submandibular gland.

Histopathological Examination

The gross specimen was received for histopathological evaluation ([Fig. 3]). A radiograph of the gross specimen was also taken to check for any other calcifications present within the gland ([Fig. 4]). On gross examination of the sialolith it roughly measured around 1.3 cm × 0.9 cm in size ([Fig. 5]).

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Fig. 3 (A) the gross specimen. (B) Sialolith along with submandibular gland approximately measuring 5.5 cm × 4.5 cm.
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Fig. 4 X-ray of the excisional biopsy of sialolith along with submandibular gland.
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Fig. 5 Macroscopic view of sialolith roughly measuring 1.3 cm × 0.9 cm in size.

The hematoxylin and eosin-stained section showed encapsulated lobules of the salivary gland which were seen separated by thin fibrous septa. Numerous seromucous acini were seen. One part of the section showed loss of architecture of the acini and a focal area of diffused infiltration of inflammatory cells into the gland along with numerous ducts. Periductal inflammation was also noted along with blood vessels and extravasated red blood cells ([Fig. 6]).

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Fig. 6 Photomicrograph of submandibular sialadenitis showing: (A) Lobules of gland with mixed seromucinous acini in lower power magnification. (B) Periductal inflammation with dense inflammatory infiltrate. (C) Infiltration of inflammatory cells into the gland. (D and F) Higher power image showing infiltration of inflammatory cells in between acini and ducts. (E) Destruction of the ducts by the inflammatory cells.


Discussion

Sialolithiasis

Sialolithiasis is formation of salivary stones in the ducts of the major salivary glands: the parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands with a reported prevalence of 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 30,000, and it is the most common cause of salivary gland enlargement.[7] Sialoliths can occasionally restrict the salivary ducts, causing inflammation and root a secondary bacterial infection, or in extremely rare circumstances form an abscess. There are many presenting signs, but the two most prevalent signs are reduced salivary flow and cyclical postprandial enlargement of the afflicted gland.[8] The etiology and pathophysiology are presented as a flowchart ([Fig. 7]).[9] [10]

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Fig. 7 Flowcharts showing the pathophysiology and etiology of sialolithiasis.

Sialadenitis

Sialadenitis is the inflammatory condition of salivary glands. It most commonly occurs in major salivary glands. Submandibular sialadenitis is usually caused due to stasis of saliva which in turn leads to retrograde seeding of bacteria from the oral cavity. Submandibular glands are present bilaterally in the submandibular triangle covered by the investing layer of deep cervical fascia and it drains into the oral cavity through the Wharton's duct in the floor of the mouth. The submandibular gland saliva is rich in potassium and low in sodium. There are two forms of submandibular gland sialadenitis: acute and chronic form. The acute form is characterized by insidiously occurring and the chronic form is characterized by long-standing infection due to obstruction. The usual clinical presentation will be swelling of the gland without erythema accompanied by pain. The common causes and pathophysiology are listed in [Fig. 8].[11] [12] [13] [14]

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Fig. 8 Common causes and pathophysiology of sialadenitis.

Since there are numerous causative factors, all differential diagnosis must be excluded by the clinician based on the clinical criteria to arrive at a diagnosis. The clinical, radiographical, laboratory, and histological tests need to be done for confirmatory diagnosis. To assist the diagnostician in reaching a diagnosis and course of treatment, we suggest a straightforward but practical diagnostic algorithm. This algorithm takes into consideration the palpable salivary stones as well[15] [16] [17] [18] ([Fig. 9]).

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Fig. 9 Diagnostic algorithm for sialadenitis and sialolithiasis.

The most common cause of sialadenitis is sialolithiasis, which occurs in the submandibular region and accounts for approximately 80% of cases.[19] There are various theories put forth on the formation of salivary stones, but they are most likely to occur in the submandibular gland because of salivary stagnation, increased alkalinity of saliva, physical trauma, being more susceptible to infection and inflammation, and the production of saliva against gravity.[20] Also, the contents of submandibular saliva contribute due to their increased levels of mucin, protein, calcium, and phosphate compared to that of other major salivary glands.[19] In fact, tobacco can also contribute to the formation of sialoliths because it greatly influences the rate of salivary flow and can also cause inflammation of the gland.[20] About 85% of the sialoliths occur in Wharton's duct because of its complex morphology, while the rest, 15%, occur in the gland parenchyma.[20] [21] The obstruction of the gland can cause swelling with a subsequent risk of superinfection. Sialolith usually occurs predominantly in adult male population. In the current case report a 60-year-old male was affected which is in accordance to the literature.[21] The signs and symptoms include cyclical episodes of pain accompanied by inflammation and swelling, the inflammation and swelling occur due to the obstruction of the flow of saliva, resulting in increased intraglandular pressure. In partial or incomplete ductal obstruction, the saliva can escape around the sialolith. In these types of cases, the patients will be asymptomatic and can only be diagnosed as an incidental finding in routine dental radiography.[22] The imaging of the salivary gland is crucial because it aids in determining the location, kind, and extent of the lesion, assessing the ductal morphology, choosing the site of the biopsy, and formulating a treatment strategy.[23] Conventional radiography, digital subtraction sialography, sonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging sialography are imaging methods that can be used to investigate salivary calculi. Just 20% of calculi are radiopaque, and conventional radiography depends on the nature of the stone. Digital subtraction sialography has a sensitivity range of 96 to 100% and a specificity range of 88 to 91%. Because of the possibility for an infection's symptoms to worsen, it is contraindicated in the acute context. According to reports, sonography has a sensitivity range of 59.1 to 93.7% and a specificity range of 86.7 to 100%.[22] [23] According to reports, MR imaging sialography has a 91% sensitivity rate and a 94 to 97% specificity rate.[24]

The choice of imaging modality should be made based on the disease and the characteristics of the patient. There are numerous therapy options that principally rely on the sialolith's size and location. Frequently performed is bimanual palpation for tiny stones which pass through the duct and are “milked out.” Surgical shock wave lithotripsy is advised for salivary stones up to 10 mm which have been found in the proximal part of the duct and it is an extremely minimal invasive procedure for removing substantial salivary stones. Sialoliths greater than 10 mm and which are not palpable are removed surgically along with the gland involved.[15] [16] [17] [18]

The differentials that can be considered in case of swelling in the submandibular region and radiopacities seen in radiographs are listed out in [Table 1].

Table 1

Differential diagnosis that can be considered for swelling in submandibular region and radiopacities seen in radiographs[25] [26]

Differential diagnosis considered for submandibular gland swelling

Acute symptoms

Chronic symptoms

 - Viral infections

 - Bacterial infections

 - Obstruction of the duct due to caliculi

 - Low-grade non0pyogenic bacterial infection

 - Lymphoepithelial disease such as sicca syndrome

 - Granulomatous conditions such as tuberculosis, fungal infections

 - Sarcoidosis

 - Salivary gland neoplasm

  Lesions with similar clinical presentations in the submandibular region are:

 - Space infections

 - Dental abscess

 - Thyroglossal cyst

 - Non-neoplastic, noninflammatory swelling of the salivary gland can occur due to various reasons such as metabolic and nutritional imbalances which also includes liver cirrhosis due to alcoholism, pellagra, and uremia

Differential diagnosis to be considered for radiopacities in submandibular region

 - Sialoliths (salivary stone or caliculi)

 - Calcified lymph nodes

 - Phleboliths

 - Tuberculosis

 - Atherosclerotic plaques

 - Metastasis from calcified carcinoma

The uniqueness of this case study is that it provides a detailed insight on sialolith in the submandibular gland; its etiology, pathogenesis, analysis and composition of salivary caliculi, and a diagnostic algorithm is proposed which can help the surgeons to manage sialoliths with sialadenitis more efficiently and contribute to the literature on the subject. The terms “sialolithiasis” and “submandibular gland sialolithiasis” were used in searches on PubMed and Google Scholar. Pertinent published articles in dentistry journals were reviewed and included in the current case report. Only English-language studies published after the year 2010 reporting cases of sialoliths with sialadenitis occurring in the submandibular gland among Indian population were chosen for the review and tabulated ([Table 2]).

Table 2

Cases of sialoliths occurring in submandibular gland reviewed in literature from the year 2010 to 2023 among the Indian population

Author name

Year of publication

Age and gender of the patient

Feature and site of occurrence

Chandra Mouli et al[27]

2011

44/M

Pain on lower left side below the tongue

Shetty and Sharma[28]

2010

50/M

Left submandibular region, swelling

Lokesh Babu and Jain[29]

2011

50/M

Left side on the floor of the mouth, pain with swelling

Parkar et al[30]

2012

84/F

Left floor of the mouth, swelling

Iqbal et al[31]

2012

55/M

Left submandibular duct region

Arunkumar et al[32]

2015

55/M

Left border of the mandible, swelling

Marwaha and Nanda[33]

2012

10/F

Left submandibular gland region, intermittent pain

Saluja et al[34]

2012

65/M

Right side floor of the mouth, pain and swelling

Kuruvila et al[35]

(6 cases)

2013

1- 55/F

2- 25/F

3,4,5- F (age not mentioned)

6- 8/F

Right mandibular region

Lower left back tooth region

Swelling in the floor of the mouth

Swelling below the tongue

Dalal et al[36]

2013

40/F

Left floor of the mouth, intermittent pain

Singh and Singh[37]

2013

55/M

Floor of the mouth, asymptomatic

Dewan et al[38]

(multiple sialoliths)

2013

26/M

Pus discharge from the opening of the duct

Kiran et al[39]

(2 cases)

2013

26/M

44/M

Right submandibular region, swelling and pain

Left submandibular region, swelling

Divya and Sathasivasubramanian[40]

(2 cases)

2013

22/M

69/F

An insidious swelling appears during meals and disappears

Pain below the tongue

Trivedi[41]

2014

9/F

Right submandibular region

Sinha et al[42]

2014

55/M

Right lower side of the face, swelling with intermittent pain

Mathew Cherian et al[43]

2014

36/M

Floor of the mouth, pain and swelling

Shruthi Hegde et al[44]

2014

55/M

Left submandibular region, swelling

Baliah et al[45]

(2 cases)

2014

10/M

55/M

Right submandibular region, swelling

Lower border of mandible, swelling

Krishnan et al[46]

2014

43/M

Left side on the floor of the mouth, swelling

Mohapatra et al.[47]

2015

18/F

Right submandibular region, swelling

Kiran et al[48]

2015

65/M

Floor of the mouth, swelling

Gopinath[49]

2015

35/M

Intraoral swelling with chronic pain

Thopte et al[50]

2016

23/M

Lower right back tooth region, pain

Singh et al[51]

2016

35/M

Floor of the mouth, pain and swelling

Sabu et al[52]

2017

55/M

Bilateral swelling noted on the lower jaw

Rana and Arya[53]

(3 cases)

2017

22/M

35/M

48/F

Right side of the face, pain and swelling

Left side of the face, pain and mild swelling

Right submandibular region

Sakthivel et al[54]

2017

42/M

Right submandibular region, swelling

Monika et al[55]

2017

52/F

Floor of the mouth, swelling

Ujjwal et al[56]

(2 cases)

2018

58/F

Young female (age not mentioned)

Left submandibular region, swelling

Right submandibular region, intermittent pain and swelling

Sengupta and Bose[57]

2018

35/M

Pain on mastication

Neeraj et al[58]

2018

37/M

Left submandibular region, pain

Wadhawan et al[59]

2019

19/M

Right back jaw region, swelling

Kumar et al[60]

2021

29/M

Left angle of mandible

Nirola et al[61]

(2 cases)

2020

37/M

35/F

Right side floor of the mouth

Left side floor of the mouth, swelling

Khorate and Vaidya[62]

2020

39/M

Left submandibular region, swelling

Chandak and Chandu[63]

2020

23/M

Left submandibular region, pain and swelling

Anand et al[64]

2020

69/M

Floor of the mouth, pain

Mathew et al[65]

2022

50/M

Right submandibular region, swelling

Present case

2023

60/M

Right lower side in floor of the mouth, pain and swelling

Abbreviations: F, female; M, male.




Conclusion

Sialoliths need to be assessed and managed properly prior to the involvement of the gland because sialadenitis can cause detrimental effects. A meticulous history collection and appropriate imaging techniques would preserve time. This case report adds to the literature, it illustrates a case of sialolithiasis occurring along with sialadenitis that was diagnosed clinically and interpreted using a simple radiograph and treated with no complications. A diagnostic algorithm has been proposed to arrive at a quick diagnosis and initiate a prompt treatment.



Conflict of Interest

None declared.

Acknowledgment

None.


Address for correspondence

Urvashi Shetty, MDS
Reader, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology, AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences (ABSMIDS)
Mangalore, Karnataka, 575018
India   

Publication History

Article published online:
01 May 2023

© 2023. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
A-12, 2nd Floor, Sector 2, Noida-201301 UP, India


Zoom
Fig. 1 X-ray showing sialolith on right submandibular region (white arrow).
Zoom
Fig. 2 (A) Preop picture of the patient with marking prior to removal of the sialolith and the involved submandibular gland. (B) Postop picture of the patient after the removal of sialolith along with submandibular gland.
Zoom
Fig. 3 (A) the gross specimen. (B) Sialolith along with submandibular gland approximately measuring 5.5 cm × 4.5 cm.
Zoom
Fig. 4 X-ray of the excisional biopsy of sialolith along with submandibular gland.
Zoom
Fig. 5 Macroscopic view of sialolith roughly measuring 1.3 cm × 0.9 cm in size.
Zoom
Fig. 6 Photomicrograph of submandibular sialadenitis showing: (A) Lobules of gland with mixed seromucinous acini in lower power magnification. (B) Periductal inflammation with dense inflammatory infiltrate. (C) Infiltration of inflammatory cells into the gland. (D and F) Higher power image showing infiltration of inflammatory cells in between acini and ducts. (E) Destruction of the ducts by the inflammatory cells.
Zoom
Fig. 7 Flowcharts showing the pathophysiology and etiology of sialolithiasis.
Zoom
Fig. 8 Common causes and pathophysiology of sialadenitis.
Zoom
Fig. 9 Diagnostic algorithm for sialadenitis and sialolithiasis.