Enlargement of the Sublingual Gland
(Apologies for my English!) I am a 30-year-old female, standing at 1.68 meters and weighing 75 kilograms. I have never smoked nor consumed alcohol, and up until now, I have had no significant dental issues. I do not suffer from any chronic health problems and only take medication occasionally; recently, I have been using ketoprofen as advised by my dentist for the last four days. For the past three days, the right sublingual gland has experienced noticeable swelling. Fortunately, it is not painful, and apart from the swelling itself, there are no outward signs. The swelling tends to be more bothersome when I consume acidic foods or when I press my tongue against the roof of my mouth. During my visit to the dentist, she conducted a thorough clinical examination but found no abnormalities. According to her, there was no evidence of salivary stones since saliva production remains normal, nor is there any indication of an infection due to the absence of any secretions. She concluded that the swelling might be a result of inflammation linked to tartar accumulation, as I have not had my teeth cleaned in over a year and a half. She suggested continuing the anti-inflammatory treatment with ketoprofen for another five days. Today marks the fourth day of treatment, and I have not seen any progress; in fact, the swelling appears to have slightly increased. Additionally, I have experienced mild throat discomfort, though it is not severe. I should mention that I no longer have tonsils. Should I seek further medical advice or tests? What might this condition be?
Answers (1)
3/24/2025, 6:01:21 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with persistent swelling of your right sublingual gland, which is understandably concerning. While your dentist has assessed the situation and suggested inflammation due to tartar accumulation as a possible cause, the lack of improvement and new throat discomfort indicates you may need to take additional steps.
Main Points
- Monitor Symptoms: While the swelling may be linked to inflammation, significant changes should prompt further evaluation.
- Focus on Oral Hygiene: Since dental health can impact salivary gland function, addressing tartar buildup is essential.
- Consider Additional Evaluation: If symptoms persist or worsen, further medical attention may be warranted.
Explanation
Swelling of the sublingual gland can occur due to several reasons, like inflammation, blockages, or infections. Since your dentist did not find signs of salivary stones or infections and there’s no severe pain, it’s possible that inflammation linked to tartar could be the issue. However, the increasing swelling and mild throat discomfort after four days of anti-inflammatory treatment raise the need for a more thorough evaluation.
Next Steps
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Continue Ketoprofen: Follow your dentist’s advice and complete the anti-inflammatory treatment as prescribed for another day or two. Ensure you are taking the medication as directed to help reduce inflammation.
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Maintain Oral Hygiene: Focus on improving your dental hygiene. Consider scheduling a dental cleaning to remove tartar, which may help alleviate inflammation and swelling.
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Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a close watch on your swelling and throat discomfort. Note any changes in size, pain, or new symptoms, such as fever or increased discomfort, which could indicate an infection or other concern.
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Seek Further Evaluation if Needed: If the swelling does not improve in a few days after completing your medication, or if you experience increased discomfort, redness, or any signs of infection, consider consulting a healthcare professional for further examination. This might include an ultrasound or other imaging to assess the gland more carefully.
Taking these steps can help manage your symptoms and address the underlying cause of your discomfort. It's important to listen to your body and seek help if you feel concerned about your symptoms.
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# 7-Month-Old Child with Abernethy Malformation - Exploring Treatment Options ## [7-Month-Old] Identified with Abernethy Malformation (Congenital Portosystemic Shunt) - Treatment Methods? **Age:** 7 months **Gender:** Female **Height:** Age-appropriate **Weight:** Currently 9 kg, was 2.8 kg at birth **Ethnicity:** Asian **Duration of Symptoms:** Present since birth **Location:** Uzbekistan **Pre-existing Health Issues:** Abernethy malformation (congenital portosystemic shunt), liver hemangiomas, chronic jaundice, anemia **Current Treatments:** Supportive management --- ## INITIAL PRESENTATION (June 2025 - July 2025) Our daughter arrived on **June 27, 2025**, presenting with: - Birth weight: **2.8 kg** - Marked jaundice (yellowing of skin and sclera) - Pale or clay-colored stools - **Bilirubin level: 245 μmol/L** (typically <20) An immediate ultrasound indicated multiple liver anomalies, initially thought to be hemangiomas. --- ## FIRST COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT (August 1, 2025 - 1 Month Old) ### Multislice Computed Tomography (MSCT) with 3-Phase Contrast (August 1, 2025): **RESULTS:** - 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Cons: Surgical scar, longer recovery time (7-14 days in hospital) - Duration: 2-4 hours ### Option 3: **Liver Transplantation** - We have been advised this is not necessary as the portal vein is functional and liver health is improving. --- ## SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: 1. **With a functional portal vein (6.1 mm) and improving liver function (ALT normalized), is it advisable to pursue endovascular closure as the preferred treatment?** 2. **Despite ALT levels improving, the bilirubin remains consistently high (242). Should this be a cause for concern? Is there a prospect for it to normalize post shunt closure?** 3. **Are the hemangiomas/nodules (11.6×20.7 mm) linked to the shunt? Will they likely resolve following shunt repair?** 4. **How urgent is the proposed intervention? Is immediate action required, or is there flexibility to wait a few months?** 5. **What complications should we be vigilant for during the waiting period?** 6. **Regarding endovascular closure - what is the average success rate for infants aged 7 months? 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We are located in Uzbekistan but are prepared to travel (to Turkey, Russia, South Korea, etc.)** --- ## ADDITIONAL INFORMATION - No family history of hepatic diseases - Pregnancy and delivery were normal - No additional congenital defects identified - Immunizations up to date - No history of bleeding disorders - No signs indicative of encephalopathy - Child is alert and engaged --- **I can supply actual MSCT images and comprehensive lab reports if they would be of assistance.** We sincerely appreciate any insights you can provide. We are striving to make the most informed decision regarding our daughter’s care and highly value expert medical opinions. **TL;DR:** 7-month-old diagnosed with Abernethy Type 2 malformation (9.9 mm portocaval shunt, patent portal vein). Liver functionality is improving (normalized ALT) while bilirubin remains elevated (242). Evaluating options between endovascular coil embolization and open surgery. Seeking expert advice on optimal treatment strategy and timing.