Clinical application of computerized continuous-infusion pressure-monitored sialography

The clinical application of computerized continuous-infusion pressure-monitored sialography using an aqueous contrast medium during the investigation of 296 salivary glands is described. A comparison between the pressure changes and the sialographic features revealed a significant (P less than 0.001) correlation between raised filling pressure (greater than 60 mmHg) and the presence of an obstructive lesion (stricture, mucous plug, sialolith). Occasionally a raised filling pressure was observed although the associated sialography films were normal. The sensitivity of the technique was 86.4%. It is concluded that the monitoring of pressure changes occurring during sialography can alert the clinician to the presence of high filling pressure and may also provide additional evidence of obstructive changes within salivary glands.