[Sialendoscopy for obstructive disorders of the salivary glands]

Obstructive disorders of the salivary glands usually manifest as a swelling which is associated with meals ('mealtime syndrome') as well as inflammation of the gland. Obstruction of the salivary ducts of the parotid and submandibular glands is usually caused by a salivary stone, mucous plug or by a stenosis. Until recently, the options for diagnosis and treating these conditions were limited. Ultimately, the decision to remove the salivary gland was often made. Sialendoscopy is a recently developed semi-rigid optical technique that can be used to detect and usually treat obstructions in the salivary ductal system. This new, minimally invasive technique has resulted in the reduction of morbidity related to salivary gland obstruction. In many patients, surgical removal of the salivary gland can be avoided by using this technique.