| Abstract: |
Phleboliths within the parotid gland are exceedingly rare. We report a case of a venous malformation with multiple phleboliths that involved the left parotid gland and extended into the extraparotid tissue in a 43-year-old woman. We also review 13 similar cases that have been reported since 1948, and we highlight the significance of distinguishing phleboliths from sialoliths because management of the two can be entirely different. Phleboliths in and around the salivary glands primarily affect the parotid and submandibular glands in adult women. Patients can present with recurrent, intermittent swelling that may be associated with food intake and hyposalivation. Any sialolithiasis located outside of its most common location in the submandibular glands must be investigated thoroughly before surgery. |
