Open AccessSialoendoscopic Findings in Non‐lithiasic Sialoadenitis
Author(s) -
Gallo Andrea,
Martellucci Salvatore,
De Vincentiis Marco,
Gallipoli Camilla,
Rosato Chiara,
Benedetti Ferdinando Nobili,
Pagliuca Giulio
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599812451438a45
Subject(s) - medicine , stenosis , salivary gland diseases , parotitis , radiological weapon , radiology , salivary gland , endoscopy , surgery
Objective Inflammatory swelling of the salivary glands without radiological findings of sialolithiasis may present a serious diagnostic challenge. A case study of 49 diagnostic sialoendoscopies performed on 44 patients (age: 10‐62 years) affected by recurrent inflammatory swelling of salivary glands without radiological evidence of salivary stones is reported. Method Intraoperative findings of 49 diagnostic sialoendoscopies attempted on 44 patients were reviewed. All patients experienced episodes of swelling of salivary glands. All patients showed no signs of salivary stones at the preoperative ultrasonography. The patients were contacted by telephone to investigate changes in the symptoms approximatively 6 months after sialoendoscopy. Results Sialendoscopy revealed the presence of obstructive mucous plugs in 23 glands (14 submandibulars, 9 parotids) while ductal stenosis was found in 7 cases (2 submandibulars, 5 parotids). A combination of mucous plugs and stenosis was described in 12 glands. Parotid duct sialodochitis was diagnosed in 2 cases. In 1 case the avascular appearance of Stenson’s duct allowed the diagnosis of juvenile recurrent parotitis. Endoscopy revealed no disorders in 4 cases. Thirty‐eight patients (77.5%) referred symptom relief at interview. Conclusion Sialendoscopy is the procedure of choice in diagnosing chronic non‐lithiasic sialoadenitis. Salivary duct dilation by irrigation alleviates the symptoms in these conditions.