Treatment of severe parotid duct stenosis using interventional radiological techniques—a note of caution

Abstract

Obstruction of the parotid gland usually presents with pain and swelling and is often associated with a salivary calculus or a stricture. Sialography and ultrasound are extremely useful in demonstrating the cause of the obstruction and in many cases interventional radiological techniques can be used for treatment using balloon catheters or stone-extracting baskets. These techniques are used when access to the patent proximal duct can be obtained via the duct itself. This report describes two cases where the severity of the parotid duct strictures prevented access in the conventional way.