Modern sialography for screening of salivary gland obstruction.

PURPOSE

To revisit and reintroduce sialography as an important tool for the assessment and diagnosis of salivary gland obstruction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A sample of 30 consecutive patients undergoing sialography was selected. Parotid sialography was performed in 22 patients (12 females and 10 males). The patients undergoing parotid sialography presented with bilateral or unilateral enlargement or swelling. Submandibular sialography was performed in 8 patients (all males) who had presented with swelling and pain in the affected gland.

RESULTS

Parotid sialography revealed 6 cases of sialolithiasis without significant duct narrowing, 3 of narrowing and strictures of Stensen's duct without a sialolith, 3 glands with gland sialectasis, 1 parotid gland with intraglandular cyst-like duct degeneration, 1 of a parotid mass displacing Stensen's duct, and 1 gross dilation of duct. The findings of 7 parotid gland sialograms were normal. Submandibular gland sialography revealed the presence of sialolithiasis (single and multiple) in 4 patients, narrowing of the duct in 2, and normal findings in 2.

CONCLUSIONS

Sialography is a simple technique and an important tool for the assessment of salivary gland obstruction in patients presenting with sialadenitis.