title: Comparative analysis of sialendoscopy, sonography, and CBCT in the detection of sialolithiasis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The diagnosis of sialolithiasis is, along with clinical presentation, based on different imaging techniques and more invasive procedures such as sialendoscopy. The aim of the study was to analyze the potential of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) for the diagnosis of sialolithiasis and to compare the results with those of sonography and sialendoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data of 43 patients with suspected sialolithiasis were evaluated retrospectively. All patients had CBCT and sonographic imaging and received sialendoscopy to confirm and possibly treat sialolithiasis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sonography, CBCT, and sialendoscopy together indicated sialolithiasis in 33 patients. The mean maximum diameter of the extracted sialoliths did not significantly differ between the three diagnostics. Each diagnostic tool showed an excellent specificity and positive predictive value. Sensitivity and negative predictive value were best in sialendoscopy (94% resp. 83%), followed by CBCT (79% resp. 56%) and then sonography (70% resp. 47%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results revealed that CBCT is capable of diagnosing sialoliths in general and tended to be more sensitive than sonography. However, in view of the radiation exposure, the use of CBCT must be critically weighed and should not be used as a primary option.
  
  
  METHODS
  4.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schwarz
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kabbasch
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scheer
authors.forename: Stefanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mikolajczak
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Beutner
authors.forename: Jan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Luers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012465:Salivary Duct Calculi / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018987:Salivary Ducts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Cone beam computed tomography; salivary gland; sialolith