Salivary gland aplasia

Salivary gland aplasia (also termed salivary gland agenesis) is the congenital absence of salivary glands. Usually the term relates to the absence of some or all of the major salivary glands.

It is a rare condition, and most known cases have been in association with syndromes of the ectodermal tissues,^[1] particularly the lacrimal apparatus.^[2] Example syndromes which have been reported with salivary gland aplasia include hereditary ectodermal dysplasia, mandibulofacial dysostosis and hemifacial microsomia.^[3]

The main significance of the condition is a lack of saliva, causing xerostomia (dry mouth), with accompanying susceptibility to dental caries (tooth decay), infections of the mouth,^[1] and upper respiratory tract infections (e.g., candidiasis, ascending sialadenitis, laryngitis and pharyngitis).^[2] Patients with salivary gland aplasia typically require regular application of topical fluoride to prevent tooth decay.^[3]

• Papadopoulou, Erofili; Piperi, Evangelia; Georgaki, Maria; Vardas, Emmanouil; Nikitakis, Nikolaos G. (December 31, 2022). "Aplasia of the Major and Minor Salivary Glands: Report of a Rare Case". Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Research. 13 (4). Stilus Optimus. doi:10.5037/jomr.2022.13405. ISSN 2029-283X. PMC 9902026.
• Kara, Medine; Güçlü, Oğuz; Dereköy, Fevzi Sefa; Resorlu, Mustafa; Adam, Gürhan (2014). "Agenesis of Submandibular Glands: A Report of Two Cases with Review of Literature". Case Reports in Otolaryngology. 2014. Hindawi Limited: 1–5. doi:10.1155/2014/569026. ISSN 2090-6765.
• Mohan, Ravi Prakash Sasankoti; Verma, Sankalp; Chawa, Venkateswara Rao; Tyagi, Kuber (March 22, 2013). "Non-Syndromic Non-Familial Agenesis of Major Salivary Glands: A Report of Two Cases with Review of Literature". Journal of Clinical Imaging Science. 3. Scientific Scholar: 2. doi:10.4103/2156-7514.109474. ISSN 2156-7514. PMC 3716019.
• Chadi, Mary Jane; Saint Georges, Guy; Albert, Francine; Mainville, Gisele; Nguyen, Julie Mi; Kauzman, Adel (May 4, 2017). "Major salivary gland aplasia and hypoplasia in Down syndrome: review of the literature and report of a case". Clinical Case Reports. 5 (6). Wiley: 939–944. doi:10.1002/ccr3.975. hdl:1866/19494. ISSN 2050-0904.