A case of acute submandibular sialadenitis caused by a fish bone that strayed into the submandibular gland duct

Abstract

Abstract Background Fish bones commonly stray into the tongue base, palatine tonsils, and pharyngeal mucosa but rarely into the submandibular gland duct. Case presentation A 74‐year‐old man developed acute sialadenitis after a fish bone strayed into the submandibular gland duct. Laboratory data revealed elevated S‐amylase level; computed tomography (CT) revealed linear opacification along the submandibular gland duct. Electron microscopic analysis confirmed the object to be a fish bone; the bone discharged spontaneously prior to a scheduled excision. Conclusion Identification of foreign bodies is difficult with CT or other imaging modalities alone. Additional detailed examination, such as electron microscopy analysis, is required.