Salivary Mucocele

Typical Signalment

• most common in the dog

Description

An accumulation of mucoid saliva following salivary duct rupture or obstruction but the cause is usually unknown. It most commonly affects the sublingual and mandibular glands but can also affect the zygomatic and parotid salivary glands. The saliva accumulates in one of three places:

1. Cervical mucocele: The most common site, develop caudal and ventral to the mandible and is usually to one side but may also be in the midline.
2. Ranula: An elongated swelling on the sublingual tissues on the mouth floor that can interfere with eating.
3. Pharyngeal wall: A less common site, may interfere within breathing and eatting.

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

May be none at all but can see:

• dysphagia
• gagging
• dyspnoea
• painful swelling evolving to a nonpainful, enlarging, fluctuant mass, mostly in the cervical region.
• pain and fever if it becomes infected

Laboratory Tests

Fluid aspiration and cytological evaluation: Mucoid or blood-tinged, with low-grade inflammation saliva

Diagnostic Imaging

Sialography

Treatment

Surgical drainage and removal of the damaged gland and duct is recomended. If this is not an option, then cervical mucoceles can be periodically aspirated. Ranulas can be treated by draining, marsupialization, or salivary gland removal. Pharyngeal mucoceles require complete gland and duct removal to alleviate the dyspnoea.

Prognosis

Good providing no complications.

References

Hall, E.J., Simpson, J.W. and Williams, D.A. (2005) BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Gastroenterology (2nd Edition) BSAVA

Merck & Co (2008) The Merck Veterinary Manual

Guilford, W.G., Center, S.A., Strombeck, D.R., Williams, D.A. and Meyer, D.J. (1996) Strombeck's Small Animal Gastroenterology (3rd Edition) W.B. Saunders Company