title: Effects of radiotherapy on parotid salivary sialochemistry in head and neck cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of high dose irradiation on parotid salivary sodium and pH concentration at subsequent duration of 1.5, 3 and 6 months following radiotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty parotid glands of head and neck cancer patients were irradiated with mean dose of 66 Gy. The stimulated parotid flow (PF) was collected by a cannulation of Stenson's duct followed by analysis of sodium (PF sodium) by Easylyte Sodium/Potassium auto analyzer and pH by litmus narrow band pH paper.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A steep elevation of PF sodium was found in post-RT period after 1.5 months of starting RT followed by gradual increase up to 6 months and pH changed towards acidity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high dose of 66 Gy causes irreversible damage to parotid salivary duct system.
authors.affiliation: Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery, M.L.N. Medical College, Allahabad, 211001 UP India.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Alok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Singla
authors.forename: Mangal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: B Paul
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Thaliath
authors.forename: Jaiswal
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Geeta
keywords: Head and neck cancer; Parotid gland; Radiotherapy; Sodium