Nonvisualization of Sialoliths during Sialendoscopy

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Sialolithiasis, or salivary stones, commonly affects salivary glands.
• Interventional sialendoscopy is a minimally invasive technique for stone removal.
• Intraoperative visualization of stones is crucial for successful sialendoscopy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze characteristics of patients with sialolithiasis undergoing sialendoscopy where stones were not visualized intraoperatively.
• To identify factors associated with intraoperative nonvisualization of sialoliths during sialendoscopy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series with chart review of 276 patients undergoing sialendoscopy.
• Analysis of patient demographics, imaging findings, and procedural outcomes.
• Definition of nonvisualization as a preoperatively imaged stone not seen during sialendoscopy despite successful cannulation.

Main Results:

• Of 203 cases with sialoliths, 31 (15%) experienced nonvisualization.
• Nonvisualization was significantly more common in the parotid gland (42%) compared to the submandibular gland (8%).
• Parotid stones located posterior to the masseter muscle were more likely to be nonvisualized (73%).

Conclusions:

• Intraoperative nonvisualization of sialoliths during sialendoscopy is more frequent in the parotid gland.
• Proximal stone location, particularly in the parotid gland posterior to the masseter, is a predictor of nonvisualization.
• These findings are important for patient counseling and treatment planning for sialolithiasis.