title: [Radioisotopic examination and diagnosis of dryness of the mouth].
abstract: The clinical and sialographic opposition between true xerostomia (with continuous disorders) and paradoxical asialia (with inter-prandial disturbance, but sparing mealtime) led the authors to analyze these patient's scintigraphic scannings. A kinetic study of excretion was carried out with gamma-camera recording of intensity and glandular activity: the information thus obtained was set down in a numerical integration block and dealt with by computer. A graph of activity was plotted for each gland showing: - a phase of ascending concentration followed by a plateau corresponding to excretion at rest; - a phase of excretion provoked by a gustatory stimulus (physiological) with a very rapidly descending graph. It is possible to establish a ratio of glandular activity/blood activity at maximum concentration and maximum excretion. From the graphs thus obtained it is possible to perfectly differentiate true xerostomia (no excretion even with stimulation) from paradoxical asialia (no plateau of excretion at rest, but stimulus effective). A better knowledge of "dryness of the mouth" should enable better adapted therapy.
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism; D012472:Salivation; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology
vernacular_title: Exploration radioisotopique et diagnostic des sécheresses buccales