Histopathologic Changes in Submandibular Sialolithiasis

Lee, Byung Joo; Seo, Cheol Ju; Lee, Il Woo; Lee, Jae Woo; Wang, Soo Geun; Kim, Jee Yeon

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
There are a few reports about the function of submandibular gland obstructed by stone. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the histopathologic change of submandibular gland for sialolithiasis and its correlation to histopathologic grades and clinical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospectively, we reviewed the clinical history of 23 patients who underwent submandibular gland excision for sialolithiasis. Histopathologic grades of submandibular gland were estabilished by the degrees of inflammation, atrophy, and fibrosis. We evaluated the relation between histopathologic grades and clinical findings including age, sex, duration of symptoms, number of infectious episodes, time between the last infectious episode and surgery, use of antibiotics. RESULTS: Normal to mild histopathologic grades showed 22% (5/23), the moderate grade showed 35% (8/23), the severe grade showed 43% (10/23). There is no significant relationship between histopathologic grades and clinical findings. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that, if possible, the conservative therapy should be preferred rather than performing the excision of submandibular gland for sialolithiasis.