Congenital/Developmental Defects

Congenital defects of organs and tissues are constant sources of concern. Manifestation of these defects may be apparent at birth, during young adulthood or in adults. The salivary glands (SG) are not immune to these developmental errors. Aplasia of the SG may be noted at birth. The parotid gland is most commonly affected, usually in association with another syndrome such as aplasia of the lacrimal gland and SG or with the lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital (LADD) syndrome. The congenital incomplete hollowing out of the anterior submandibular duct and its orifice (atresia) results in salivary retention and proximal duct ballooning in the newborn that mimics a ranula. Dysgenetic polycystic disease is considered a congenital defect of the intercalated ducts that usually presents as spontaneous intermittent painless parotid gland swellings. Parotid duct dilations are congenital problems observed in all ages, but predominantly in adults. Unique horizontal tube-like buccal facial swellings, exacerbated during meals, that contain voluminous amounts of saliva are its hallmarks.