Sialadenosis (Sialosis) of the Submandibular Gland

Sialadenosis (sialosis) is a chronic, diffuse, noninflammatory, nonneoplastic disorder causing diffuse enlargement of salivary glands, usually the parotid glands, and less commonly the submandibular and minor salivary glands. The most common causes are chronic alcoholism, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, while less common causes include malnutrition, bulimia, or drugs. Diagnosis is clinically suspected (non-tender enlargement of salivary glands, often bilateral and symmetrical) and is completed with an ultrasound examination that shows homogenous, hyper-echoic, and enlarged glands or, rarely, using biopsy to rule out other disorders. This chapter discusses the etiology, pathogenesis, pathology, clinical presentation, investigations, differential diagnosis, management, and prognosis of sialadenosis of the submandibular gland.