Abstract

The presence of multiple calculi in the major salivary glands is an uncommon finding. Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by lymphocyte-mediated destruction of the exocrine glands. The case is presented of a 49-year-old female with Sjogren's syndrome found to have bilateral multiple sialolithiasis in the parenchyma of the parotid glands. The patient presented with a right sided painful inflamed swelling of the parotid region. Even though she had been diagnosed with primary Sjögren's syndrome 3 years prior to admission, she did not report any previous episode of sialadenitis. Full blood count showed leukocytosis (white blood cells = 14,900/10(6) L) with neutrophilia (75%). Radiological assessment included ultrasound and computed tomography scan of the parotids which demonstrated intra-parenchymal multiple calculi of both parotid glands and obstruction of the right Stensen's duct. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. On the second day of hospitalisation, she reported spontaneous extrusion of a calculus during massage of the gland, with immediate relief of symptoms. In patients with Sjögren's syndrome and radiological findings of calculi in the major salivary glands, close observation is mandatory for better control of recurrent sialadenitis and early recognition of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas.