Salivary duct stones

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Head and neck glands

Sialolithiasis

The goal is to remove the stone.

Drink lots of water and use sugar-free lemon drops to increase the saliva, which may remove the stone. Massaging the gland with heat may help.

The doctor or dentist may be able to push the stone out of the duct. In some cases, the stone may need to be surgically cut out or reduced to small fragments using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Salivary duct stones are uncomfortable, but not dangerous. The stone is usually removed with only minimal discomfort.

If the person has repeated stones or infections, the affected salivary gland may need to be surgically removed.

• Discomfort
• Increased risk of salivary gland infections
• Recurrence (coming back) of stones

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of salivary duct stones.

Review Date: 02/28/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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