A Case of Unilateral Absence of the Submandibular Gland Secondary to Sialolithiasis / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Absence of major salivary glands, especially those of occurring unilaterally or secondary to Wharton's duct stone, is a rare disorder, A case of unilateral submandibular gland absence occurring secondary to Wharton's duct stone was presented in a 51-year-old male. Using the ultrasonography (USG) and computerized tomography (CT), the absence of the submandibular gland was confirmed. The patient had long-term history of sialolithiasis of the right submandibular gland, so the right submandibular gland was suspected of having acquired a change due to sialolithiasis. The present case would be a second report demonstrating a case of unilateral submandibular gland absence occurring secondary to stones, suggesting that, without ligation of submandibular nerves, the obstruction of excretory duct of a submandibular gland could lead to a complete atrophy of the gland in human.