If a stone becomes large enough, it can block the gland, which can lead to pain and swelling. Salivary stones are rarely serious, and a person can often remove them at home.

If you have symptoms of a salivary gland stone, your doctor will first check for stones with a physical exam. Sometimes tests may also be ordered, such as X-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound.

Recurrence may occur if the salivary duct is not properly removed or if adjacent salivary glands are damaged. For this reason, and to prevent infection, the cyst should not be pricked or otherwise ...

The damage to humans’ glands is permanent, but another species has the ability to rebuild the organ within two weeks of an injury. In experiments in mice, when radiation destroys saliva-producing ...