The relationship between sialographic images and clinical symptoms of inflammatory parotid gland diseases

Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between sialographic images and clinical symptoms of inflammatory parotid gland diseases. Materials and methods. Clinical symptoms including swelling, pain, the duration of these symptoms, and degree of salivation were examined on 83 parotid glands from 64 patients. Swelling and pain were classified into 4 categories. Duration of any symptom was recorded in months and the degree of salivation was classified into 4 groups by inspection and massage. Sialography was performed and panoramic radiographs were taken later to examine the evacuation state of the contrast medium. The degree of inflammation on sialographic images was evaluated in 3 areas (the main duct, the intraglandular duct, and the parenchyma) by rating 4 grades respectively under the consensus of 3 radiologists. A Fisher's exact test and a Pearson correlation were used for statistical analyses. Results. The degree of salivation showed significant correlation between the presence of inflammation and the grades of inflammation on sialographic images. There was also a correlation between the grades of inflammation of the sialographic images and the amount of retention of the contrast medium. There was no significant relationship between the grades of inflammation of the sialographic images with swelling or pain. Conclusion. The grade of inflammation of a sialographic image has correlated with a degree of salivation. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009;107:e49-e56)