Ultrasound Assessment after Parotid Sialolithotomy

Objective: 1) To demonstrate the utility of ultrasound in the assessment of residual parotid sialoliths or fragments after endoscopic-assisted or purely open sialolithotomy. 2) To discuss limitations of using ultrasound for detection of sialolithiasis of the parotid glands.Method: From August 2009 to January 2012, 5 adult patients with symptomatic parotid sialolithiasis underwent endoscopic-assisted or purely external sialolithotomy in a tertiary-level hospital setting. Pre-and intraoperative post-sialolithotomy ultrasound was performed. Outcomes included presence of residual stones/fragments and proximal ductal dilatation.Results: Five patients with symptomatic parotid sialolithiasis refractory to sialendoscopic extraction underwent either endoscopic-assisted sialolithotomy or pure open sialolithotomy. Four of 5 patients demonstrated proximal ductal dilatation on ultrasound. One of 5 (20%) demonstrated residual sialolithiasis on ultrasound immediately after sialolithotomy. That patient underwent re-explo...