Diseases of the Salivary Glands

In the case of salivary gland changes, the first apparative diagnostic method is ultrasound imaging. A salivary stone may be verified after excluding oncological diseases and undertaking additional procedures as needed. Many salivary stones can already be removed directly during the course of a subsequent endoscopy in the salivary gland procedures, and constrictions in the ductal system can be expanded - while maintaining a gland's functioning. In other cases, the same can be achieved via lithotripsy, i.e. the destruction of the stone using ultrasonic pulses.
If conservative, minimally invasive procedures remain unsuccessful, an operation will be planned in the context of individual therapy escalation.
In most cases direct surgical intervention is indicated for tumours of the large salivary glands. In the case of benign tumours of the parotid gland, attempts have recently been made to preserve the intact glandular tissue using a restrained, problem-oriented surgical technique.