Lymphoma Mimics Obstructive Sialadenitis: Three Cases

Obstructive sialadenitis is a common salivary gland disorder usually secondary to viral or bacterial infections, sialolithiasis, duct stricture, or mucous plug. The differential diagnosis also should include dehydration, trauma, and scarring secondary to oral mucosal surgical procedures or neoplasm. It is important to consider neoplasm in these patients, especially when symptoms do not resolve as expected after treatment for obstruction. In a series of 591 cases referred to the Massachusetts General Hospital Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service for “obstructive sialadenitis” from 2009 through 2012, 3 patients had obstruction secondary to low-grade follicular lymphoma.