[Radionuclide study on the change of duct-ligated parotid gland]

Regressive changes of duct-ligated parotid glands in rabbits were examined by salivary gland scintigraphy with 99mTc O4-, subtraction sialography and soft X-ray radiography. Scintigram images were obtained with a pinhole collimator improved for small animal scintigraphy. Subtraction images were taken photographically. Contrast media were injected into extracted tissue for soft X-ray radiography. Radiological observations were carried out 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days after injection, and in the control rabbit. The images obtained by these three modalities were compared and discussed. Salivary gland scintigrams and subtraction sialograms clearly demonstrated the outlines of duct ligated parotid glands. Soft X-ray radiograms obtained from the extracted tissue showed the fine structure of the parotid glands. All of these images showed regressive changes in the duct-ligated parotid glands.