Computed tomographic appearance of sialoceles in 12 dogs

Abstract

Published findings on the computed tomographic (CT) appearance of sialoceles are limited to brief descriptions from reported cases in eight dogs and one cat. The authors have seen sialoceles with CT characteristics that are not consistent with these previous reports. The purpose of this multicenter, retrospective, descriptive, case series study was to provide more detailed descriptions of the CT appearance of confirmed sialoceles in dogs. Dogs over a 10-year period with cytologically or histologically confirmed sialoceles and pre-and postcontrast CT studies of the head were included.Multiple qualitative and quantitative features were described for each sialocele with histological correlation. Twelve dogs with a total of 13 sialoceles were identified, including: seven cervical sialoceles, three complex (combined cervical and sublingual) sialoceles, two sublingual sialoceles, and one zygomatic sialocele. All sialoceles were characterized by fluid attenuating, non-contrast enhancing contents (median 18.5 HU) and soft tissue attenuating, contrast-enhancing walls. The external margins of all sialocele walls were smooth; however, the internal margins in six sialoceles were irregular with poorly defined nodular to frond-like protrusions. Mineralized foci of variable size (range < 1 mm to 4.8 mm) and attenuation (range 119 to 1253 HU) were present in seven sialoceles and histologically identified as sialoliths (three sialoceles) and osseous metaplasia (two sialoceles). A unique finding in the sialoceles in this study was the presence of intraluminal nodular to frond-like protrusions arising from the wall. This study also reports the CT appearance of cervical and complex sialoceles and sialocele mineralizations.

Imaging diagnosis: CT findings in bilateral necrotising sialometaplasia of the mandibular salivary glands in a Tibetan Terrier

“…6,23 Severe enlargement of salivary glands with their associated ducts, cavitary lesions and occasional frond-like central projections of enhancing material are reported in cases of sialocoeles. 24 In contrast to the case reported herein, inflammatory or necrotic cells are rarely documented in cases of sailocele, and sialocoeles often require surgical intervention. 7,24 Bilateral glandular enlargement is also frequently reported in cases of sialadenosis.…”

“…24 In contrast to the case reported herein, inflammatory or necrotic cells are rarely documented in cases of sailocele, and sialocoeles often require surgical intervention. 7,24 Bilateral glandular enlargement is also frequently reported in cases of sialadenosis. Imaging features of canine sialadenosis have not been reported, but these cases generally present with a non-painful swelling in the region of the affected gland, without evidence of inflammation, necrosis or cavitary lesions on histopathological analysis.…”

“…However, changes are unilateral in nature in majority of the patients, and cytological analysis does not encompass such an abundance of necrotic material as was described in this patient 6,23 . Severe enlargement of salivary glands with their associated ducts, cavitary lesions and occasional frond‐like central projections of enhancing material are reported in cases of sialocoeles 24 . In contrast to the case reported herein, inflammatory or necrotic cells are rarely documented in cases of sailocele, and sialocoeles often require surgical intervention 7,24 .…”

Computed tomographic findings in two dogs with chronic unilateral parotid duct ectasia

“…Several imaging modalities have been used for investigation of salivary gland diseases in veterinary medicine: plain survey radiography, sialography, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 6,9–16 . In dogs, CT and MRI represent increasingly common modalities to investigate disorders of the salivary glands, leading to improvement in diagnosis and further management compared to plain radiography 10 …”

“…10 CT has been performed in cases of parotid duct sialoliths, sialoceles and foreign bodies but, according to our review of literature, it has never been used to diagnose and aid in management of an obstructive lesion of the parotid papilla with secondary ectasia of the parotid duct. 2,6,16…”