Changes in the parotid salivary gland of beta-thalassemia patients due to hemosiderin deposits.
2 patients afflicted with beta-thalassemia major presented with pain and swelling of the parotid salivary gland. In 1 patient, the symptoms were of long standing and particularly severe, with diminished and highly viscous salivation. In the other patient, the parotid glands had only recently become painful, while salivary output and quality remained normal. The parotid anatomy in both patients, as demonstrated by sialography, and the clearance of opaque material were normal. Tc99 scintigraphy revealed reduced uptake and rapid clearance of the isotope from the parotid serous glands into the oral cavity, in contrast to the increased uptake by the sublingual mucous glands. Iron deposits were demonstrated in the parotid secretory serous cells. It is postulated that the impaired function of the parotid is linked to iron deposits in the serous cells of this gland, as a sequella of beta-thalassemia.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006485:Hemosiderin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000378:metabolism*; D013789:Thalassemia / Q000378:metabolism*
D006485:Hemosiderin