Dynamic magnetic resonance sialography for patients with xerostomia

The aim was to evaluate the utility of dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) sialographic images as a diagnostic tool for patients with xerostomia as chief complaint.

Various parameters of dynamic MR sialographic images from 40 healthy volunteers were compared with those from 28 patients having dry mouth as chief complaint. Dynamic MR sialographic images were acquired using a 1.5-T full-body MR system and 2-dimensional fast asymmetric spin-echo (2D-FASE) sequences. Acquisition of the optimal section using 2D-FASE sequencing with single-section acquisition of thick sections was repeated every 30 s before and after a few drops of 5% citric acid was placed on the tongue. Student t test was used to examine differences between the healthy volunteer and patient groups regarding the maximum area of salivary gland ducts before and after citric acid stimulation.

The maximum area of the detectable ducts in the patient group was significantly smaller (P < 0.001), whereas the change in detectable duct area was significantly lower (P < 0.001).

This study suggests that dynamic MR sialographic images and data can be useful in the diagnosis of patients with dry mouth as chief complaint.