Morbidity of salivary gland digital sialography using a non-ionic dimeric contrast medium.
OBJECTIVE
Sialography is considered a low invasive procedure, due to cannulation of salivary duct orifice. The aim of this study was to evaluate the morbidity of sialography using a nonionic dimeric contrast medium.


METHODS
A questionnaire was proposed to 90 patients who underwent parotid and submandibular sialography to reveal related symptoms as: pain, swelling, impairment to daily activities and taste alteration. Pain and swelling intensity was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS).


RESULTS
Fifty-two out of ninety questionnaires were returned. Sialography was performed in 30/52 patients in the submandibular gland, 22/52 in the parotid gland. Pain during sialography was complained by 28/52 patients with a 2.4 mean VAS score. Pain after sialography, was reported by 17/52 patients with a 1.3 mean VAS score. Swelling was reported by 25/52 patients with a 2.4 mean VAS score; 48/52 patients returned immediately to daily activities; 8/52 complained different taste alterations.


CONCLUSIONS
Main related symptoms for submandibular and parotid sialography are pain and swelling, spontaneously resolving after 24-48 hours in most of cases. The statistical analysis also demonstrated in patients who underwent submandibular sialography the onset of pain during the procedure is significantly related to an increase of pain after the examination. Thus in patients, who referred severe pain during sialography, antiinflammatory drugs are recommended to control the onset of pain after sialography.
Salerno
S
S
Radiology Unit, Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Legal Medicine, Policlinic Hospital, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. sergio.salerno@unipa.it
Lo Casto
A
A
Romano
I
I
Cannizzaro
F
F
Speciale
R
R
Midiri
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004408:Dysgeusia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018987:Salivary Ducts; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012796:Sialography; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003287:Contrast Media; D014283:Triiodobenzoic Acids; C044834:iodixanol