An incidental finding of numerous hypocellular nodules within a mandibular–sublingual gland complex sialocoele in a dog

Abstract

An 11-month-old female Labrador Retriever presented with a 3-month history of a progressively enlarging, unilateral, ventral mandibular swelling. Cytology was consistent with saliva, and the dog was referred for further investigations. Computed tomographic (CT) imaging was performed, and findings were suggestive of a leftsided mandibular sialocoele. The dog underwent sialoadenectomy surgery of the left mandibular-sublingual gland complex. On incising the thick capsule of the sialocoele, the swelling was incidentally found to contain hundreds of 1.5-2 mm firm, spherical structures. Cytological and histological examination of the structures demonstrated that these were non-mineralised, hypocellular, proteinaceous nodules. The nodules were not able to be identified on review of the pre-operative CT scan. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of such radiolucent, proteinaceous nodules being present within a canine sialocoele. BACKGROUNDSialocoeles are the most commonly presenting disease of the salivary glands of dogs. 1 This case report describes a case of a canine sublingual-mandibular sialocoele, with concurrent radiolucent, proteinaceous, hypocellular, nodules present within. Computed tomographic (CT) imaging has been considered the most sensitive imaging modality for diagnosing and differentiating salivary gland disease, 2 although sialolithiasis may be diagnosed by plain radiography due to the mineral component found in the sialoliths. [2][3][4][5] In the presented case, the numerous nodules were not visible on the CT scan and found incidentally at surgery. Cytological and histological analyses revealed no mineral component to the nodules. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report describing the presence of radiolucent, non-mineralised nodules found within a canine siaocoele. CASE PRESENTATIONAn 11-month-old, female entire, Labrador Retriever presented to the referral hospital with a 3-month history of a progressive, soft, non-painful swelling in the left ventral mandibular region. The patient had no other significant medical history and was noted to be fed a raw diet. No trauma or known inciting cause had occurred prior to the owner noticing the mass, and the patient had no other associated clinical signsThis is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.