Review of indications for sialography and report of an unusual case of warthons' duct

ABSTRACT

The aim of this article was to present an unusual sialographic finding in a case of submandibular gland in which the trifurcation of warthon's duct acted somehow similar to the obstruction factors. A 36 years old male was referred to Shiraz Dental School with the symptom of obstruction of the right submandibular duct. After systemic and clinical evaluation and radiographic examination, sialography was performed. It was revealed that the trifurcation of proximal part of deep [horizontal] segment of warthon's duct was the cause of obstruction. The interesting point in this case was the absence of gland swelling and pain during meal time which in other cases it occurs due to the usual obstructive factors such as sialolithiasis [calcified or non calcified], stricture, mucocele or salivary cyst. To our knowledge and based on the literature review, this is the first reported case of warthon's duct showing this type of anatomic feature which was detected by sialography