July 31, 2020

https://doi.org/10.23999/j.dtomp.2020.7.2

J Diagn Treat Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2020;4:112−8.

Under a Creative Commons license

How to cite this article

Nikulin DS, Fesenko II, Cherniak OS. Sialoliths in ipsilateral Bartholin`s and Wharton`s duct: the first clinical and ultrasound report. J Diagn Treat Oral Maxillofac Pathol 2020;4(7):112–8.

 

Contents: Abstract | Introduction | Case | Discussion | Conclusions | Role Of Co-Authors | Term Of Consent | Fundings | Acknowledgements | References (19)

Abstract

Sialoliths in sublingual gland is the rarest condition among sialolithiasis in other major salivary glands.^1,2 Only in 0.4 percent of cases the salivary stone notes in sublingual gland. In our English literature review we count 8 articles which describe sialoliths located within or around the sublingual glands. Nevertheless, in none of those cases a simultaneous sialolithiasis of the submandibular and sublingual gland was noted. Although in one case the authors described a sonogram of sialolith in the sublingual gland, the sonogram of the gland and its ductal system was not presented. Here we present the first ever published clinical and ultrasound report of combined ductal sialolithiasis of sublingual and submandibular glands in a 78-yearold female. Also, Zhang et al`s classification of duct system patterns of the sublingual glands based on 60 cadaveric and 63 clinical cases is analyzed.

INTRODUCTION

Sialoliths in sublingual gland is the rarest condition among sialolithiasis in other major salivary glands.^1,2 Only in 0.4 percent of cases the salivary stone (synonyms: sialolith, salivary calculus, and concrement) notes in sublingual gland.¹

 

Ultrasound (US) appearance of sialoliths in submandibular/parotid gland and its ducts is perfectly described in many publications.^3-5 Ultrasonographic and clinical pattern of mucus plugs are also recently highlighted.⁶ But, in English literature is absent the data which reported ultrasound images (synonym: sonograms) of sialoliths located in both the main duct of the sublingual gland (ie, Bartholin`s duct) and in ipsilateral duct of the submandibular gland (ie, Wharton`s duct). In our English literature review we count 8 articles which describe sialoliths located within or around the sublingual glands.^1,7-13 But in English literature the data are not available which reported a simultaneous sialolithiasis of the submandibular and sublingual gland was noted. Despite in one case the authors described US of sialolith in the sublingual gland, the sonogram of the gland was not presented.¹³ Until recently, no ultrasonographic appearance of sublingual gland`s ductal system was shown.

 

We presented the first ever published clinical and US report of combined sialolithiasis of sublingual and submandibular glands in a 78-year-old female. Also, Zhang et al`s classification of duct system patterns of the sublingual glands based on 60 cadaveric and 63 clinical cases is analyzed.¹⁴

CASE

In May 2015, a 78-year-old female presented to the maxillofacial surgery center with chief complaints of the salivary colics and moderate firm swelling in the right submandibular region. Bimanual palpation revealed painful and swelled right submandibular gland. Intraoral examination showed diffuse swelling of the right sublingual area with moderate mucosal erythema. No fluid milked from the right sublingual caruncle.

 

US examination (synonym: ultrasonography) was performed with 12-3 MHz linear probe (synonym: linear transducer) (model HD11 XE, Philips). Gray scale US revealed enlarged ill-defined right submandibular and sublingual gland. Structure of which were less echogenic than the contralateral glands. Dilated intraglandular duct and sonographic architecture of the right submandibular gland is shown in Figure 1.

 

According to the sonograms the Bartholin`s duct (Fig 2) of the right sublingual gland joined the Wharton`s duct and opened together at the sublingual caruncle. US picture in that case represented type 2 of Zhang et al`s classification of the duct system patterns in the sublingual glands.¹⁴

Intraglandular duct system of the right sublingual gland was dilated. Also, in the significantly dilated lumen of the Bartholin`s duct a hyperechoic curvilinear body measured ~2.8 mm was visualized. Another bright curvilinear echo measured ~0.9 cm was located in the area of fusion between the Bartholin`s and Wharton`s duct. Both bodies created the artifacts of complete posterior shadowing (synonym: acoustic shadowing).

 

US appearance of both ipsilateral glands with its ducts corresponds to the diagnosis of exacerbation of chronic calculous sialadenitis² of sublingual and submandibular glands (synonym: obstructive sialadenitis of sublingual and submandibular glands due to sialoliths). And the sialithsectomy was chosen as a surgical tactic due to the intraductal localization of the calculi in Bartholin`s and Wharton`s duct.

 

Removal of the salivary stones (synonyms: sialolithotomy,¹⁵ sialolithectomy^13,16) was done under local anesthesia. Sialolith which located in the Wharton`s duct was removed in two parts during a first stage and is visualized at Figure 3 as yellowish stone measured 0.55 cm. Smaller one, a 0.3-cm stone, was removed in a second stage. Removal of the stones accompanies with receiving of insignificant volume of the suppurated saliva. Post-operative recommendations included massage of the right submandibular gland and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

 

Regression of the clinical and ultrasound symptoms of obstruction in both glands was noted on the next day after the removal of calculi. At 1-month follow-up ultrasonography the right submandibular (Fig 4) and sublingual gland are visualized as ill-defined organs and has hypoechoic heterogenic structures comparing with contralateral glands. That fact indicates on irreversible inflammatory changes of the glands` parenchyma. Nevertheless, intraglandular ducts dilatation was absent.

DISCUSSION

This is a case of highly effective using of ultrasonography in the practice of oral and maxillofacial surgeons for diagnostics and treatment of extremely rare sialolithiasis in both Bartholin`s and Wharton`s duct.

 

Correct analysis of sonograms was based not only on understanding of basic US principles but also on perfect knowledge of exanimated body area, possible pathologic conditions, and clinical thinking.

So, the shape of the sublingual gland resembles the large tadpole¹⁷ or almond¹⁸. The typical anatomical features of the sublingual gland are next: consists of two parts (head and tail), lack of capsule/fascial sheath, surrounded by loose connective tissue,18 the tail in some cases is in contact with submandibular gland.¹⁷ In contrast to the parotid and submandibular glands, the anatomy and number of ducts of the sublingual salivary gland can be in one of three anatomical types what is represented in Table 1.¹⁴ The minor ducts is also termed as “fine ducts,”¹⁴  “ducts of Rivinus”¹⁷ or “Rivini`s ducts”<sup>18</sup>. The Bartholin`s duct not is attached to the floor of mouth mucosa¹⁷, but Rivini`s ducts (a group of ducts) firmly attached to the mucous membrane and penetrated it. Number of minor ducts varies in the literature, indicated not only from 8 to 15 ducts openings,<sup>14</sup> but also 15-30 salivary ductules.<sup>17</sup> This is why it is so difficult to dissect the sublingual gland from mucosa at the anterior (head) part of the gland. Variations of Bartholin`s duct origin according to the different studies is highlighted in Table 2.

So, in cases when the duct systems of the submandibular and sublingual glands are united (ie, type 2 of anatomic variation)¹⁴ for the better understanding of possible pathologic condition, like sialolithiasis or obstructive sialadenitis, it is possible to apply the term “two salivary glands, one duct system.” This thesis is proved and highlighted by our case ductal system which belongs to type 2. In the similar pattern 2 ductal systems the calculus which is located in the Wharton`s duct in area of junction with Bartholin`s duct can theoretically provoke obstructive sialadenitis of the sublingual gland or even formation of own calculi in the sublingual gland and vice versa.

 

Ying et al noticed in post-sialadenectomy cases the communication between Bartholin`s and Wharton`s duct and the fact that “viscous saliva in the relatively stagnant environment within the residual part of the Wharton's duct further facilitates sialolith formation.”¹⁹

 

We agree with Güvenç et al, due to complicated anatomy of the ducts in sublingual-submandibular gland system, the origin of the calculi in sublingual region is difficult to find.¹³ It can be an explanation why among 8 previously reported cases of sialolithiasis in the area of sublingual gland (Table 3) the indicated locations of salivary stones was not always the sublingual gland itself^8,9,11, but also a sublingual region^7,10,12,13.

 

In the majority of reported cases with sublingual gland sialolithiasis the gland was removed. In our case, precise US diagnostics of intraductal localization of sialoliths and successfully performed sialolithsectomy allows to manage the obstructive sialadenitis and to avoid sublingual and submandibular glands removal.

CONCLUSIONS

We hope this rare report may serve as a guiding star for further ultrasound investigation of pathologic conditions in sublingual glands and its ductal system. Simultaneously, it can be a new chapter in implementation of ultrasonography into daily practice of oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

ROLE OF CO-AUTHORS

Olha S. Cherniak (material collection).

Ievgen I. Fesenko (material collection, concept of the article, writing, and editing).

Dmytro S. Nikulin (editing).

All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

TERM OF CONSENT

No needed.

FUNDINGS

No funding was received for this study.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors are grateful to Dr. Oleksii O. Tymofieiev for the reference advices.

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