Salivary gland fistula
Abnormal passageway between salivary glands or ducts
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A salivary gland fistula (plural fistulae) is a fistula (i.e. an abnormal, epithelial-lined tract) involving a salivary gland or duct.
Salivary gland fistulae are almost always related to the parotid gland or duct, although the submandibular gland is rarely the origin.[1]
The fistula can communicate with the mouth (usually causing no symptoms), the paranasal sinuses (giving rhinorrhea)[1] or the facial skin (causing saliva to drain onto the skin).
The usual cause is trauma, however salivary fistula can occur as a complication of surgery, or if the duct becomes obstructed with a calculus.[1]
Most parotid fistulae heal by themselves within a few weeks.[1]
