Sialendoscopy-Assisted Treatment for Chronic Obstructive Parotitis—Our Treatment Strategy with 31 Patients

Treatment Strategy for Chronic Obstructive Parotitis Related to Diabetes: A Retrospective Analysis of 12 Cases

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe our experience in treating chronic obstructive parotitis (COP) related to diabetes.

Methods: Twelve patients with COP related to diabetes were selected for the study. A sialendoscope was introduced from the orifice to investigate the ductal wall and lumen. During the operation, chymotrypsin and gentamicin were injected. All patients were followed up for 6 months. Preoperative and postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) evaluations and salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS) examinations were applied to evaluate the therapeutic effect; differences were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05.

Results: A sialendoscope was successfully used under local anesthesia in all members of the cohort. As shown by the endoscope, mucus plugs were the most common feature. Some adhered tightly to the ductal wall. We also found ductal congestion in some cases. The postoperative VAS scores and SGS counts were both significantly lower than the preoperative values (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Chymotrypsin administration during interventional sialendoscopy is significantly effective in the treatment of diabetes-related COP.

Sialendoscopy in Chronic Obstructive Sialadenitis Without Sialolithiasis: A Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate long-term chronic sialadenitis symptoms in patients without sialolithiasis following sialendoscopy-assisted salivary duct surgery (SASDS) compared to a control group managed conservatively.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary care center.

METHODS

Thirty-six patients (52 glands) with chronic sialadenitis without sialolithiasis completed the Chronic Obstructive Sialadenitis Symptoms (COSS) questionnaire at presentation and at 3-month time intervals thereafter for 1 year. Lower COSS scores represent lower symptom severity. We compared 27 patients who underwent SASDS to 9 control patients who elected conservative management.

RESULTS

COSS gland-specific scores from 38 SASDS-treated glands (cases) and 14 control glands were similar at baseline. At 6 to 12 months (mean, 8.4 months), the surgically treated group had significantly lower scores and a greater score reduction from baseline compared to controls (mean score change [95% confidence interval] cases: 20.7 points [15.7-25.8]; controls: 11.7 points [4.9-18.4]; P = .04). There was a significant difference in scores between the 2 groups over time (P < .001). A greater proportion (72%) of cases reported partial or complete resolution of overall sialadenitis symptoms at 6 to 12 months compared to the controls (22%, P < .05).

CONCLUSION

Compared to patients electing for conservative management, patients with sialadenitis without sialolithasis treated with SASDS had improved symptom scores and a greater reduction of symptom severity after 6 months. With SASDS, patients had higher rates of significant overall symptom improvement. In evaluating chronic sialadenitis, assessment at multiple time points is necessary to capture the intermittent and cyclical pattern of obstructive symptoms.

Sialendoscopy-Assisted Treatment of Stensen's Duct Injury: A Case Series

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical value of sialendoscopy in the treatment of Stensen's duct injury.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 5 patients with Stensen's duct injuries who had been treated from December 2017 to April 2019 were included in the present study. The operations were performed with the help of a sialendoscope. All patients were followed for 6 months.

RESULTS

The distal end of the ductal system was found precisely with the use of the sialendoscope, and the proximal end was identified by the location of the distal end. The end-to-end anastomosis was performed successfully. None of the patients complained of salivary gland fistula at the 6-month follow-up examination.

CONCLUSIONS

The stumps of the ductal system could be precisely and effectively located with the help of a sialendoscope.

Long-Term Outcomes of Sialendoscopy in the Management of Sialolithiasis and Idiopathic Chronic Sialadenitis with Ductal Scars

Objective

We aimed to present the long-term outcomes and sialendoscopic findings in only patients with sialolithiasis and ductal scars in idiopathic chronic recurrent sialadenitis who experienced unsuccessful results with conservative treatment and were treated with sialendoscopy.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the patients with a diagnosis of only sialolithiasis and ductal scars in chronic recurrent sialadenitis who underwent sialendoscopy between January 2011 and June 2016. We collected clinical and intraoperative data including patient age, sex, date of the procedure, the involved gland, operative findings and complications. Follow-up data included whether the symptoms were resolved or recurred and whether any further procedures were performed.

Results

Of a total of 38 patients, 16 were excluded from the study due to missing clinical or follow-up data, and analysis was conducted on 22 patients. Twelve were diagnosed with sialolithiasis, while the remaining 10 were diagnosed with idiopathic chronic sialadenitis and had ductal scars. Stone sizes ranged from 2 mm to 10 mm. Mean follow-up time was 39.5 months. The final success rate was 100%. Of the 10 patients with ductal scarring, five had scar in the parotid gland duct, and five in the submandibular gland duct. The mean follow-up time of all ductal scar patients was 47.1 months. The final success rate was 70%.

Conclusion

Sialendoscopy is a minimally invasive method for the diagnosis and treatment of sialolithiasis and ductal scars of the salivary glands after failure of conservative treatments in adults.

Sialendoscopy in treatment of adult chronic recurrent parotitis without sialolithiasis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of sialendoscopy in the management of adult chronic recurrent parotitis without sialolithiasis. In addition, preliminary results of an initial randomized placebo-controlled trial of single-dose intraductal steroid injection given concurrently with sialendoscopy, are presented.

METHODS

Forty-nine adult patients with chronic recurrent parotitis without sialoliths were included in this study. They underwent sialendoscopy and were randomized to receive either a concurrent intraductal injection of isotonic saline solution or 125 mg of hydrocortisone. Symptom severity was evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS) and by recording symptom frequency and course with a multiple-choice questionnaire completed preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure.

RESULTS

The mean VAS score was 5.6 preoperatively and dropped to 2.9 at 3 months, 3.0 at 6 months, and 2.7 at 12 months after the procedure. The VAS score and the frequency of symptoms were significantly lower at 3 (p < 0.001), 6 (p < 0.001) and 12 (p < 0.001) months after the procedure when compared with the preoperative scores indicating that sialendoscopy reduces the symptoms of recurrent parotitis. However, complete permanent resolution of symptoms was rare. Single-dose steroid injection concomitant to sialendoscopy provided no additional benefit, but the current study is not sufficiently powered to determine a clinical difference between the steroid and non-steroid groups.

CONLUSION

Sialendoscopy appears to reduce the symptoms of chronic recurrent parotitis. While total permanent symptom remission is rare, sialendoscopy can be considered a safe and relatively efficacious treatment method for this patient group.

Chymotrypsin with sialendoscopy-assisted surgery for the treatment of chronic obstructive parotitis

Chronic obstructive parotitis (COP) is a common disease of the parotid gland. A total of 104 patients with COP were identified and randomized into a treatment group (52 cases) and a control group (52 cases). All patients underwent sialography and salivary gland scintigraphy (SGS) examinations before surgery. The patients in the treatment group received chymotrypsin combined with gentamicin via interventional sialendoscopy to irrigate the duct, and the control group received gentamicin alone. All patients were asked to record their pain on a visual analogue scale (VAS) before treatment and at 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. The VAS score for pain intensity was decreased at 1 week post-treatment in both groups (P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the VAS score was lower in the treatment group at 1 week, 2 weeks, and 1 month post-treatment (P<0.05). The 6-month postoperative SGS results showed improved uptake and excretion in both groups (P<0.05). The treatment group exhibited higher scores for postoperative SGS excretion than the control group (P<0.05). The administration of chymotrypsin combined with gentamicin by sialendoscopy is effective for the treatment of non-stone-related COP and specifically improves the excretion function of the parotid gland.

Sialendoscopy for non-stone disorders: The current evidence

OBJECTIVE

Review the current literature on the use of sialendoscopy in the treatment of non-stone disorders of the major salivary glands.

DATA SOURCES

Eligible articles that reported on the use of sialendoscopy in the treatment of non-stone disorders were identified using MEDLINE, Embase, and Google Scholar through May 2016. The search used key words sialendoscopy, salivary endoscopy, salivary scope, salivary duct stenosis, salivary duct stricture, Sjogren's disease, radioiodine sialadenitis, salivary duct obstruction, sialadenitis, chronic sialadenitis, juvenile recurrent parotitis, parotitis, and radiation sialadenitis.

REVIEW METHODS

Full-length prospective and retrospective original articles; systemic reviews; and meta-analysis, including adults and children with adequate data for evaluating the sialendoscopy for non-stone disorders, were included. Individual case reports were excluded.

RESULTS

There is an increasing trend for the use of sialendoscopy for salivary obstruction caused by a wide variety of non-stone disorders worldwide. The studies of sialendoscopy for non-stone disorders are often retrospective, of smaller sample size, and more subjective in measurement of patient outcome. The most common indications currently for the procedure are scars, juvenile recurrent parotitis, radioiodine sialadenitis, and Sjögren syndrome, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although the initial evidence for the use of sialendoscopy for non-stone disorders is not as established as that for stones, it remains a promising gland-preserving tool in the management of non-stone disorders of major salivary glands.