The most common salivary gland diseases and how they are treated

The problems of salivary glands are distinguished in two main categories, inflammations and tumors. Most diseases are benign. However, any bulking or palpable mass should be investigated immediately to exclude any malignancy, according to experts. One litre a day produces salivary glands in our mouth, but their role is not limited to that. These are glands – “keys”, located around the oral cavity. With saliva, which they produce, they contribute to the good functioning of swallowing, taste and digestion, speech and generally to maintaining the health of the mouth. “They are distinguished in major (parotids, hyponathys and sublingual glands) and minor (multinumeric, scattered in the mouth and pharynx)”, says Otorinolaryngologist – Surgeon of Head – Cervical, Children’s Hospitals Scientific Associate Health-Mother, East of Pataridou. “The mumbo jumbo is the largest salival gland and is located in the area ahead of the ear, one on each side. The subgnaths are under the jaw, as their name states, the sub-linguists under the tongue. Diseases such as some infection or inflammation, an obstruction, but also tumors affect their functionality and cause problems.” Most common diseases As the otorinolaryngologist, head – neck surgeon, explains, the diseases of salivary glands concern inflammations or tumors, benign or malignant. The usual symptoms, caused by all acute diseases of salivary glands, are the swelling of the gland, accompanied by pain in the area. Chronic diseases lead to dry mouth or rarely salivation. Sieladenitis is an inflammation, which may be due to stone (stone), to swelling of the pore, to injury often from dentures or damaged teeth, to congenital abnormalities, tumors or cysts, to dehydration, to radiotherapy. Celolithiasis is caused by calcium stones and organic elements in the salivary gland or pore. Men between 30 and 55 years of age are usually more vulnerable. The stone prevents saliva from reaching the oral cavity and causes swelling and pain, especially after meals. The tumors may be benign or malignant and require thorough examination and evaluation, as the swelling of the gland is also observed in other cases. “The mumps are the largest salivary gland and about 80% of its tumors are benign. The particularity of the mumbo jumbo is that it is crossed by the personal nerve, which essentially irritates the facial muscles that are responsible for our expression. So if an swelling occurs, either in front of the ear, on the cheek, or on the corner of the jaw, or if there is a sudden increase in its size, pain or paralysis of the personal nerve (turns the mouth, falls the corner of the eye), or skin develops ulceration, then there is suspicion of malignancy. In all these volumes, full removal is necessary to avoid recurrence,” stresses Mrs Pataridou. The second largest salivary gland is the hypognath and about 50-60% of the tumors there are benign. Nevertheless, they must also be removed, because they grow and cause malformation, but also because at a certain rate they may have a malignant discharge, as it is called. Factors affecting The factors related to the occurrence of the problems mentioned above are: • Dry mouth • Dehydration • Smoking, alcohol, coffee • Certain medicines such as: blood pressure, antihistamines, diuretics, barbiturates, psychiatric and other, that reduce the production of saliva • Bad oral hygiene (periodontitis etc.) • Exposure to radiation • Malnutrition or other eating disorders, affecting the production of saliva. Diagnosis and management The special doctor first receives a detailed medical history from the patient and then examines him clinically with palpation. The following is an ultrasound, biopsy when there is evidence, and CT or MRI. Each patient is treated individually, with medication and/or surgical treatment. In recent years in surgery, minimally invasive surgery techniques have prevailed, in order to address the condition in the least mutilating manner, so that the specialist surgeon can achieve the maintenance of the organ’s maximum functionality. “This, in the treatment of salivary gland diseases, was achieved by silendoscopy, during which a direct vision of the entire network of so-called excensive resources is carried out in the large salivary glands. To this end, a semi-flexible endoscope is inserted into the gland’s exponent resource and is connected to a recording system, consisting of a camera and monitor. It’s usually done under local anesthesia. With the normal serum washing system an investigation is carried out throughout the route for stones, narrowings, contractions, epithelials, tumors and any cause that causes obstruction in the flow of saliva. It is possible through the endoscope courtyard to remove the stone or epithelials, deal with contractions and obtain material for biopsy with special tongs. In addition, endoscopic petrification, with the help of laser fibers through the endoscopes, is possible,” concludes Mrs Pataridou.