Toby presented to his regular veterinarian after an altercation with a pig. There was a 3 cm laceration to the side of the face over the zygomatic arch. The wound healed with open wound management and a short course of antibiotics, however Toby represented with a fluid filled mass on the side of his face caudal to the initial injury 1 month later. The referring veterinarian aspirated the mass and found fluid consistent with saliva and he was referred for further investigation.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound guided aspirate of the mass revealed a thick mucoid yellow tinged fluid. Cytology of the fluid revealed eosinophilic stands, occasional mature neutrophils and sparse epithelial cells.
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- Figure 1. Ultrasound Image
Sialography
Sialography by catheterisation of the parotid duct confirmed a sialocele. Figure 2a demonstrates the plain radiographs, Figure 2b demonstrate the sialogram and Figure 2c demonstrates the placement of the catheter. Recognised retrospectively was the foreign body cranial to the sialocoele.
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- Figure 2a. Plain radiographs
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- Figure 2b. Sialography
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- Figure 2c. Placement of catheter
Surgical Procedure
A small 2cm incision was made over the fibrous lump rostral to the sialocoel. Blunt dissection into this area revealed a small 1cm length piece of bony material consistent with a pig tusk that was subsequently removed and the sialocele drained (Figure 3). Removal of the parotid gland was performed preserving the facial nerve.
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- Figure 3a. Pig tusk removal
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- Figure 3b. Drainage of the sialocele
Conclusion
Toby made an uneventful recovery without recurrence of the sialocele.
Submitted by: Dr. Craig Thomson (surgical resident)
