Sialoscopy in cases of unclear swelling of the major salivary glands.
OBJECTIVE
Sialoscopy has developed into an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool for diseases of the major salivary glands.


METHODS
We evaluated 103 patients with chronic swelling of the major salivary glands. Routine diagnostic measures revealed no clear diagnosis. The findings of 109 sialoscopies are described. A semi-rigid endoscope (with a diameter of 1.1 mm and 2 integrated working channels) was used for sialoscopy, 51.5% of the cases in Warthon's duct and 48.5% in Stensen's duct.


RESULTS
Pathologic findings resulted in 83.0% of the submandibular and in 96% of the parotid ducts. Obstruction neither due to sialolithiasis nor stenosis was observed in 56.3%, whereas sialolithiasis was observed in 20.3% of the patients. In 36 (35%) patients, an interventional sialoscopy was performed.


CONCLUSIONS
In cases of invisible salivary duct obstruction, especially in those with low mineralized calculi, strictures, stenoses, or postinflammatory changes, sialoscopy gives immediate and direct information about causal pathologies. Moreover, further therapy can be planned within the same procedure.
Koch
Michael
M
Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Friedrich-Alexander-University, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany.
Zenk
Johannes
J
Bozzato
Alessandro
A
Bumm
Klaus
K
Iro
Heinrich
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome