Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Surgical outcomes for cats treated for sialoceles 2010-2021
By Marti, Laura G et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2024·Ontario Veterinary College, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Outcomes of surgically treated sialoceles in 21 cats: A multi-institutional retrospective study (2010-2021).
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 21 cats with swelling under their tongues or jaws, known as sialoceles, underwent surgery to relieve their symptoms. Many of these cats had trouble swallowing and excessive drooling, but most did not have a clear cause for their condition. The surgical procedures included removing the affected salivary glands or creating a drainage opening. While some cats experienced complications during or after surgery, none had their sialoceles return afterward. Overall, the surgeries successfully resolved the cats' symptoms with a low risk of issues.
People also search for: cat drooling treatment · cat mouth swelling causes · sialocele surgery for cats
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report the outcomes of cats that underwent surgical correction for sialoceles. STUDY DESIGN: Multi-institutional retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: Twenty-one client-owned cats. METHODS: Medical records were examined of cats diagnosed with sialocele, which underwent surgical intervention over an 11-year period at one of 10 referral hospitals. The data collected included signalment, clinical signs, diagnostic imaging, histopathology, surgical procedures performed, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The most common presenting complaints for cats with sialocele included dysphagia and ptyalism. Only two cats had a recent history of trauma, and one was diagnosed with a concurrent sialolith. Most displayed visible tissue swelling, with ranulae being most common. Surgical treatment consisted of sialoadenectomy and/or marsupialization. Intraoperative complications occurred in three cats, and postoperative complications in five cats. No recurrence or development of contralateral sialoceles were reported during the follow-up period (30-968 days). CONCLUSION: The majority of cats did not have a clear underlying cause for developing a sialocele. The sublingual and mandibular salivary glands were presumed to be the most commonly affected. Mandibular and sublingual sialoadenectomy and/or marsupialization provided resolution of clinical signs to the 21 cats that underwent these procedures. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Sialocele, although rare, should remain a differential diagnosis when managing cats with relevant clinical signs. Surgical intervention appears to offer resolution of signs with apparently low overall risk of complication or short-term recurrence. In cats it is necessary to evaluate whether sialoadenectomy is necessary, or whether marsupialization alone should be attempted as a less invasive first-line surgical intervention.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39082600/