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| 2010-22 |
| 22-1 |
ISSN (Print) 1013-9052
EISSN 1658-3558
P.O. Box 52500,
Riyadh 11563,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| Tel. |
966-1-467-7328 |
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933-1-467-7308 / 966-1-467-7534 |
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saudidj@ksu.edu.sa |
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A case report of an unusual utilization of gutta percha point to locate a sialolith
P.J. Dhanrajani, BDS*,
A thirty-year old female presented with a painful swelling of the left sub- mandibular region. Clinical examination revealed that the cause of the symptoms was a blockage of the submandibular salivary gland duct with a gutta percha point and a small stone. The gulta percha point and stone were removed under local anesthesia. The post-operative phase was uneventful and the patient has recovered completely.
Salivary gland stones are aggregations of cal cium phosphate, formed in the gland itself or the duct, which can lead to an obstructive condition of the gland.1,2 Gutta percha points are widely used in endodontic practice for root canal treatment. In the present case, a gutta percha point was used as a marker to locate the submandibular salivary duct stone and was displaced, leading to aggravation of symptoms, as a result of obstruction and edema. Case History A 30-year-old female patient reported to the Emergency Department of the Riyadh Central Hospital complaining of pain and swelling of the left submandibular gland. She was accompanied by her dentist. Her dentist gave a history that he had tried to use a gutta percha point as a marker to locate the stone in the submandibular duct. While doing so, it slipped into the duct.
On
radiographic examination, the gutta percha point was localized deep in the duct
close to the gland [Fig. 1]. It was decided to remove the stone and gutta
percha point under local anes thesia. Using the usual trans-oral submandibular
duct approach, the stone and gutta percha point were removed [Fig. 2], The
post-operative phase was uneventful with complete healing [Fig. 31
It is evident in this case that the use of a gutta percha point as a radiographic marker, to localize the exact position of salivary duct stone, should be prohibited. The point can easily slip and may lead to complications such as obstruction or infection of the gland. As far as the literature is concerned, this case is unique in that no such case has previously been reported. In conclusion, one should avoid placement of gutta percha points in the duct as a radiographic marker for salivary gland stone.
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