Acute sialoadenitis of the submandibular salivary glands and acute inflammation of the submandibular lymph nodes. A review article

INTRODUCTION: Acute inflammation of the submandibular salivary glands and submandibular lymph nodes in humans are common diseases. Their clinical manifestation largely overlaps, but there are also a number of significant differences between them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a review article whose aim is to provide clear and understandable information on the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of acute inflammation of the submandibular salivary glands and submandibular lymph nodes in humans. It was written after analyzing information on the topic from 57 full-text articles from peer-reviewed medical journals. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The causes of sialoadenitis of the submandibular glands are mainly the anatomical features of the submandibular duct, the high viscosity of the saliva produced by them, and previous sialolithiasis of the duct or of the parenchyma of the gland. In children, acute lymphadenitis of the submandibular lymph nodes is most often due to infections of the upper respiratory tract, and in adults it has an odontogenic origin. The treatment of both diseases includes the mandatory intake of antibacterial drugs, and in the presence of purulent exudate, surgical treatment is carried out in the form of incision, lavage and drainage. CONCLUSION: With early diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis of these diseases is good, but with high virulence of the bacterial causative agents and/or congenital and acquired diseases of the patient’s immune system, the treatment may be prolonged.