A salivary gland fistula (plural fistulae) is a fistula (i.e. an abnormal, epithelial-lined tract) involving a salivary gland or duct.
Salivary gland fistulae are almost always related to the parotid gland or duct, although the submandibular gland is rarely the origin.[1]
The fistula can communicate with the mouth (usually causing no symptoms), the paranasal sinuses (giving rhinorrhea)[1] or the facial skin (causing saliva to drain onto the skin).
The usual cause is trauma, however salivary fistula can occur as a complication of surgery, or if the duct becomes obstructed with a calculus.[1]
Most parotid fistulae heal by themselves within a few weeks.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d van der Waal I (6 December 2012). Diseases of the Salivary Glands Including Dry Mouth and Sjögren's Syndrome: Diagnosis and Treatment. Springer Science & Business Media. pp. 152–153. ISBN 978-3-642-80274-4.
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