Jefferson Specialist Discusses Options For Removing Salivary Stones
By Lynne Adkins
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The kidneys are not the only part of the body that produce stones. You can also get them in the salivary gland.
Salivary glands are located in the cheek and under the jawbone and when stones form and get stuck in the ducts, a person experiences pain and swelling especially when eating.
Dr. David Cognetti, co-director for the Center of Head and Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, says the most common treatment is to surgically remove the gland. But he also says there's a safer way.
"We can now go down the duct with a camera scope, find the stone and if it's small enough pass a wire basket through the camera and catch the stone in the basket and pull it out."
If it's too big, an incision can be made in the duct to remove the stone. He says the procedure known as sialendoscopy has fewer risks than surgery.
