Clinical application of computed tomography in the surgical treatment of submandibular mucocele and sialoliths in Dog

Abstract

A 10-year-old, 8-kg mixed-breed dog presented with a painless, soft and tender submandibular swelling. Radiographs revealed an 8x6 cm ventral cervical mass with radiopaque spots. Fine needle aspiration showed high viscosity and yellow-tinged fluid, indicative of an inflammatory sialocele. After drainage, carprofen (4.4 mg/kg) was administered daily for one week, followed by prednisone (0.5 mg/kg) for the second week. However, the mass recurred after one month, necessitating a computed tomography (CT) scan for surgical management. CT imaging demonstrated an encapsulated fluid-attenuating mass in the submandibular region, containing sludge and calcified materials. Surgical excision and biopsy confirmed a submandibular mucocele with sialoliths. Infrared spectroscopy revealed a high protein concentration in the sialoliths. The CT scan facilitated an accurate diagnosis and the formulation of a proper treatment plan for this canine cervical mass that was consistent with submandibular mucocele and sialolithiasis.