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Potential airway compromise secondary to impacted Wharton's duct calculus: a noteworthy phenomenon

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 July 2015

M Van ,
R Gohil  and
Q Gardiner
M Van
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, UK
R Gohil*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, UK
Q Gardiner
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr R Gohil, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee DD1 9SY, Scotland, UK E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives:

This case report describes a patient who suffered an acute, severe complication of unilateral submandibular sialolithiasis, the disease process and management of these patients.

Case report:

A 70-year-old woman was under investigation for a recurrent, painful right submandibular swelling and subsequently presented with an acute exacerbation. She exhibited symptoms of acute submandibular sialadenitis, and also reported breathing difficulty and a change in voice quality. Computed tomography imaging showed that this was caused by a submandibular gland duct sialolith, with inflammation extending to the ipsilateral supraglottis. She was treated medically and the stone was removed when the inflammation had stabilised.

Conclusion:

This case highlights the need to thoroughly assess patients with neck swellings, especially when symptoms are atypical, to avoid life-threatening complications.

Keywords

Diagnoses and ExaminationsAirway ObstructionSubmandibular Duct CalculiSialolithiasisCT Scan, X-ray
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 129 , Issue 7 , July 2015 , pp. 721 - 724
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2015 

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