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Percutaneous Salivary Gland Ablation using Ethanol in a Rat Model
Emma Burch1, Lacey Lubeley1, James Murakami1
1Department of Radiology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OhioUSA.
Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Research
|February 14, 2018
Summary
Percutaneous ethanol injection effectively reduced salivary gland size in rats, offering a potential long-term treatment for sialorrhea. This study demonstrates sustained gland ablation and damage in an animal model.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Sialorrhea (drooling) is a common issue in children with neuromuscular disorders like cerebral palsy.
- Current treatments, such as botulinum toxin injections, provide only temporary relief for salivary gland overproduction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the feasibility of percutaneous ethanol injection for sustained salivary gland ablation in an animal model.
- To explore a potentially longer-lasting treatment option for pediatric sialorrhea.
Main Methods:
- Twenty rats underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous injection of 98% ethanol into the right submandibular gland.
- The left submandibular gland served as the untreated control.
- Glands were evaluated histologically and by mass at three weeks and three months post-injection.
Main Results:
- Ethanol injections led to a significant and sustained reduction in submandibular gland size.
- Treated glands were 41% and 43% smaller by mass at three weeks and three months, respectively (P < 0.001).
- Histologic analysis revealed significant parenchymal damage, inflammation, and fibrosis in treated glands.
Conclusions:
- Percutaneous ethanol injection demonstrated dramatic and sustained submandibular gland damage in a rat model.
- This technique shows promise as a potential method for long-term salivary gland ablation to manage sialorrhea.
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