If the stone does not pass on its own:
A (or parotid duct obstruction) happens when the tubes that carry saliva from your parotid glands—located just in front of your ears—into your mouth become obstructed. This prevents saliva from flowing normally, causing it to back up into the gland, which often leads to painful swelling. Common Causes of Blockage parotid gland blockage
For small stones caught early, doctors recommend non-invasive techniques to flush the stone out: If the stone does not pass on its
| Modality | Sensitivity for stones | Best for | |----------|----------------------|----------| | | >90% for stones >2 mm | First-line; no radiation; detects ductal dilation. | | Plain radiography | Poor (only 20-40% visible) | Only for radiopaque calcium stones. | | CT without contrast | ~90% | Detects small or radiolucent stones; better for deep lobe. | | Sialography | High for stenosis | Invasive but defines ductal anatomy; not during acute infection. | | MRI / MR sialography | Moderate | Noninvasive ductal visualization, useful in recurrent idiopathic cases. | | | Plain radiography | Poor (only 20-40%