Surgical Removal of a Cervical Sialocele in a 9-Year-Old Intact Female Shih Tzu.

Background: A sialocele is an accumulation of saliva in the subcutaneous tissues after leakage from a damaged salivary gland or duct. A 9-year-old, intact, female, Shih Tzu was brought to the UP Veterinary Teaching Hospital and presented with a firm mass on the left submandibular to cranial cervical area. Based on the patient history, physical examination, diagnostic imaging, and cytology, the dog was diagnosed with a cervical salivary mucocele or sialocele, possibly due to a defect in the left mandibular to sublingual salivary glands or gland-duct complex. A prior treatment regimen using corticosteroids and antibiotics had no effect on the size and consistency of the sialocele, further indicating surgical removal. Methodology: Surgical management via lateral approach was done to treat the sialocele via excision of the left mandibular and sublingual salivary glands along with their associated salivary ducts. Results: Treatment resulted in good post-operative healing in the submandibular to cervical region with no observed recurrence of sialocele. Conclusion: Histopathologic findings of the excised mass confirmed the sialocele and revealed focally extensive granulation tissue, multiple sialoliths, and sialadenitis. Case findings support that lateral approach sialoadenectomy was effective treatment for the patient's ailment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]