Salivary gland fistula

3D still showing salivary glands.

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

1 2 3 4 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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[Waal2012-1] 1 2 3 4 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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