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Salivary gland obstruction develops when saliva can no longer flow easily out of the gland, leading to rapid and sometimes painful swelling of the affected gland, especially at meal times. Obstruction is usually due to the presence of a salivary stone (calculus) or stricture (fibrotic narrowing) within the duct. Small salivary gland stones and salivary duct strictures may now be treated by minimally-invasive radiologically-guided techniques under local anaesthesia, avoiding the need for traditional surgical gland removal under general anaesthesia. Small stones are identified by sialogram and, if suitable, trapped within fine wire baskets and extracted from the salivary duct. Salivary duct strictures, where the duct had become narrowed, also are best shown on a sialogram and may be dilated using an angioplasty balloon catheter inserted into the salivary duct. Both procedures are undertaken during an outpatient appointment under local anaesthesia and using radiological guidance.