Diagnostic and interventional sialendoscopy: a preliminary experience

• Published in: The Laryngoscope Vol. 121; no. 2; p. 299
• Main Authors: Bowen, Matthew A, Tauzin, Marcie, Kluka, Evelyn A, Nuss, Daniel W, DiLeo, Michael, McWhorter, Andrew J, Schaitkin, Barry, Walvekar, Rohan R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.02.2011
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Child; Endoscopy - adverse effects; Endoscopy - methods; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Recurrence; Retrospective Studies; Salivary Gland Calculi - pathology; Salivary Gland Calculi - surgery; Salivary Gland Diseases - diagnosis; Salivary Gland Diseases - surgery; Salivary Glands - pathology; Sialadenitis - pathology; Sjogren's Syndrome - pathology; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1531-4995
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.21390

To review our preliminary experience with diagnostic and therapeutic sialendoscopy for the management of non-neoplastic disorders of the salivary gland. Retrospective chart review. Thirty-three consecutive patients undergoing 36 sialendoscopy procedures performed at a tertiary medical center from July 2008 to July 2010 were included. The mean age of presentation was 43 years (range, 7-74 years), and 61% of patients were male. Indications included sialolithiasis (47%; 17 of 36), recurrent sialadenitis (44%, 16 of 36), and Sjögren's syndrome (8%; three of 36). Successful endoscopy was performed in 97% (35 of 36). A papillotomy for access was necessary in 25% (nine of 36). In patients with sialolithiasis (n = 17), the mean size of the stones was 7.3 mm (range, 1-20 mm). Complete stone removal was achieved in 76% (13 of 17) of cases. Endoscopic stone removal was possible in 29% (five of 17), and a combined approach technique was required in 47% (eight of 17). Seventy-two percent (26 of 36) of patients had complete resolution of symptoms after sialendoscopy, with 19% (seven of 36) having partial resolution of symptoms. Patients with partial improvement of symptoms had a mean duration of improvement of 4.7 months. The overall complication rate was 22% (eight of 36). The major and minor complication rates were 3% (one of 36) and 19% (seven of 36), respectively. Sialendoscopy is safe and effective in managing non-neoplastic salivary gland disorders with low rates of major complications. Knowledge of options to navigate the rate-limiting steps, like dilation of the papilla and careful case selection, are key to successful outcomes.