title: Percutaneous CT-Guided Cryoablation of the Salivary Glands in a Porcine Model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the imaging, histologic changes and safety of computed tomography (CT)-guided cryoablation of the parotid glands in a porcine model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Unilateral CT-guided parotid gland cryoablation was performed in 5 juvenile miniature pigs. The ablated parotid glands underwent 2 cycles of 10-minute freeze and 5-minute thaw using three 17-g cryoprobes. The animals were monitored daily for complications including pain, frostbite, infection, and sialocele or fistula formation. Follow-up CT was performed at 6 weeks postcryoablation. Pathologic evaluation was performed on 2 of the ablated parotid glands.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All cryoablations in 5 right parotid glands, with 3 sites in each gland, were technically successful. No symptoms suggestive of facial nerve damage were observed during 6-week follow-up. One pig developed an infected sialocele, which was treated with percutaneous drainage and oral antibiotic therapy. No CT evidence of sialocele or other abnormality was identified at the 6-week follow-up in all pigs. Histologic evaluation was performed on 2 of the parotid gland specimens, 1 with the treated sialocele, and 1 of the remaining pigs without sialocele. Both glands demonstrated postprocedural intraglandular lymph nodes and reactive changes without evidence of sialocele or abscess on histopathology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cryoablation of parotid glands was technically feasible in a porcine model. Only 1 pig developed sialocele, which was successfully treated. Further research is warranted to determine the potential use of salivary gland cryoablation to treat patients with drooling.
authors: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Johns Hopkins Hospitals, Baltimore, Maryland.
authors: Ji Y
authors: JY
authors: Buethe
authors: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors: Salim
authors: S
authors: Abboud
authors: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors: Kristie
authors: K
authors: Brock
authors: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors: Greg
authors: G
authors: Nizialek
authors: Department of Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors: Rod
authors: R
authors: Rezaee
authors: Department of Pathology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors: Jay
authors: J
authors: Wasman
authors: Department of Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Frankel
authors: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio. Electronic address: Dean.Nakamoto@uhhospitals.org.
authors: Dean A
authors: DA
authors: Nakamoto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D003452:Cryosurgery / Q000009:adverse effects; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D023421:Models, Animal; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012472:Salivation; D012798:Sialorrhea / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000009:adverse effects