Ultrasound‐guided mechanical fragmentation of sialoliths (sonoguide forceps)

Background Little data about the efficacy and limitations of ultrasound‐guided mechanical intraductal stone fragmentation and removal of sialoliths (Sonoguide Forceps) exist. Methods This was a chart review of patients treated within the last 4 years at 2 tertiary care centers. Results Sonoguide Forceps were used as a second‐line treatment in 22 patients with sialolithiasis. Ten patients were free of stones and symptoms afterwards (7 of 17 submandibular, 2 of 4 parotid, 1 of 1 sublingual). Six patients were primarily treated for parotid sialolithiasis, 4 with successful stone retrieval. The reasons for failure were a lack of accessibility to the stone by the forceps ( n = 9), the impossibility of grasping the stone ( n = 5), and/or the concomitant grabbing of soft tissue together with the stone ( n = 3). Conclusion The efficacy of Sonoguide Forceps as both a secondary and primary treatment modality makes it an interesting, simple, and inexpensive therapeutic alternative. Relevant parameters for treatment success include the size and position of the stones. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010