A Sialolith and a Megalith: a Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Sialolithiasis is considered as one of the most frequently encountered diseases of the salivary glands. The most susceptible site is the submandibular gland and its duct. However, megaliths have been sparsely reported in the literature. This article portrays management of a sialolith and a megalith in a 26-year-old and a 59-year-old male patient, respectively. The sialolith in the first case case was 4 mm long, whereas the second case demonstrated a megalith measuring 46 mm at its greatest size. Follow-up revealed normal functioning and a painless gland in the first case, while the second case showed no eventful complications. It is interesting to know that both patients remained relatively pain-free, despite having such longstanding sialolith/megaliths. After removal of the small sialolith, the gland regained its normal functioning swiftly, whereas in the case of the megalith, the gland removal was mandatory because such a longstanding megalith led to irreversible functional injury to the gland. CPD/Clinical Relevance: A giant sialolith can be easily misdiagnosed as a submandibular infection or neoplasm, especially when the patient presents with a longstanding pain-free swelling. Hence, early and appropriate referral and investigation is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment.