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Salivary glands abnormalities in oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum
Davide Brotto1, Renzo Manara2, Stefania Vio3
1Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padova, Italy. davide.brotto@aopd.veneto.it.
Clinical Oral Investigations
|May 24, 2017
Summary
Salivary gland abnormalities are common in oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS) patients, affecting 84% of those with parotid gland issues. These findings may aid in managing OAVS-related feeding and swallowing difficulties.
Area of Science:
- Medical imaging and diagnostics
- Craniofacial anomalies
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Feeding and swallowing impairments affect up to 80% of patients with oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum (OAVS).
- Salivary gland abnormalities are known in OAVS, but their prevalence, characteristics, and relation to disease severity require further definition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of salivary gland abnormalities in OAVS patients.
- To determine the association between salivary gland anomalies and OAVS phenotype severity, including Goldenhar syndrome.
Main Methods:
- Head MRI scans of 25 OAVS patients and 11 controls were analyzed.
- Evaluated parotid and submandibular salivary glands for hypo/aplasia.
- Correlated findings with clinical phenotype and cranial nerve involvement.
Main Results:
- All controls had normal salivary glands; 84% of OAVS patients (21/25) showed abnormal parotid glands, primarily ipsilateral to facial microsomia.
- Parotid gland abnormalities were not associated with overall phenotype severity but linked to ipsilateral 5th and 7th cranial nerve anomalies.
- Submandibular gland hypoplasia occurred in 6 OAVS patients, always with ipsilateral parotid involvement, and was associated with the Goldenhar phenotype.
Conclusions:
- Salivary gland abnormalities are highly prevalent in OAVS.
- Identifying these abnormalities can assist in managing feeding and swallowing issues in OAVS patients.
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