[Influence of percutaneous radiation therapy upon the large salivary glands of the head: results from functional diagnostics using radionuclide techniques in 95 patients (author's transl)].

We investigated the function of the parotid and submandibular glands in normals and in patients with radiotherapy in the head neck region by scintigraphic methods. The above given doses relate to an application scheme with 200 rd 5 times per week. There is a relatively severe loss of function with small doses from 1000 to 2000 rd. After doses till 3000 rd, there is complete recovery of the gland function in about three months. After 4500 rd, there is in about 80% of the patients a complete recovery after about one year. After irradiation with 5000 or more rd, there is nearly in no person a recovery of the gland function. We did not find a compensatory increase in the function of a spared gland with compensation of irreversibly atrophic glands.