Clinical Application of Computed Tomography in the Surgical Treatment of Submandibular Sialocele and Sialoliths in Dog

Abstract

A 10-year-old, 8-kg mixed-breed dog presented with a painless, soft, and tender submandibular swelling. Radiographs revealed an 8x6 cm ventral cervical mass with radiopaque spots. Fine needle aspiration showed high viscosity and yellow-tinged fluid, indicative of an inflammatory sialocele. After drainage, carprofen (4.4 mg/kg) was administered daily for one week, followed by prednisone (0.5 mg/kg) for the second week. However, the mass recurred after one month, necessitating a computed tomography (CT) scan for surgical management. CT imaging demonstrated an encapsulated fluid-attenuating mass in the submandibular region, containing sludges and calcified materials. Surgical excision confirmed a submandibular mucocele with sialoliths. Infrared spectroscopy revealed a high protein concentration in the sialoliths. The CT scan facilitated accurate diagnosis and informed the treatment plan for this canine cervical mass, encompassing submandibular mucocele and sialolithiasis.