Minimally invasive radiologically guided intervention for the treatment of salivary calculi.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the technique and examine the value of salivary stone extraction using a minimally invasive, radiologically guided approach as an alternative to salivary gland surgery for the treatment of benign salivary gland obstruction.


METHODS
Eighty-six cases of sialolithiasis (83 patients) were treated by stone removal using a Dormia basket under local anesthesia and fluoroscopic guidance. Postoperative assessment was made clinically at review, by sialogram and by questionnaire.


RESULTS
Of 86 cases of sialolithiasis treated, in 55 (64%) it was possible to remove all stones. In 12 cases (14%) part of a stone or some of a number of calculi were removed and in 19 cases (22%) the procedure failed. The commonest reason for failure was fixation of the stone within the duct. Symptoms at review (range 1-49 months, mean 17 months) were relieved in 55 of 67 (82%) of cases where a stone or portion of stone was removed.


CONCLUSIONS
Stone removal from the salivary duct system by radiologically guided, minimally invasive approach is a simple procedure with low morbidity and high patient acceptance when appropriate selection criteria are applied. These criteria are considered and recommendations made.
Brown
Jackie E
JE
Department of Dental Radiology, Guy's Dental Hospital, Guy's & St. Thomas' Dental Hospital Trust, London SE1 9RT, UK. jackie.brown@kcl.ac.uk
Drage
Nicholas A
NA
Escudier
Michael P
MP
Wilson
Ron F
RF
McGurk
Mark
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012465:Salivary Duct Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D015494:Salivary Gland Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013364:Submandibular Gland Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*