Giant sialolith of submandibular gland: case report

The sialolith, also known as saliva stone or sialolithiasis is a calcified structure which develops inside the salivary ductal system or on the salivary gland parenchyma; it grows gradual, asymptomatic, and slowly. Most of the stones are sized less than 10 mm and only 7% of them are larger than 15 millimeters; those are considered giant salivary gland stones. Objective: This study aimed to report a case of two sialoliths that have merged, forming a giant sialolith, located in the Wharton duct in the left submandibular gland. Methods and Results: Clinical diagnosis was confirmed by occlusal and panoramic radiographs. A surgical removal was performed with intraoral incision under local anesthesia, through sialolith anchorage by suture thread and removal of two sialoliths, sized about 13 mm and 16 mm. Marsupialization suture was performed at the local where the incision was made, forming a new gland duct. Conclusion: The sialolithiasis treatment methods are very different and should be taken into account the affected gland, size and location of sialolith, always opting for the more conservative methods.