Epidemiologic, radiologic, and sialendoscopic aspects in chronic obstructive sialadenitis

Area of Science:

• Salivary gland disorders
• Medical imaging
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Chronic obstructive sialadenitis (COS) is recurrent salivary gland inflammation.
• Predisposing factors for COS are not well-established.
• Advances in radiology and sialendoscopy necessitate updated knowledge on COS etiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze factors contributing to the development of chronic obstructive sialadenitis (COS).
• To update the understanding of COS etiology using modern diagnostic tools.
• To identify associations between patient demographics, gland location, and COS causes.

Main Methods:

• Prospective analysis of 333 patients undergoing sialendoscopy (2012-2021).
• Correlation of epidemiologic, radiologic, and sialendoscopic findings.
• Diagnosis based on clinical, radiologic, and confirmed sialendoscopic findings.

Main Results:

• Stricture was the most common cause of COS (40.8%).
• Lack of papilla distensibility (LPD) was identified as a frequent cause.
• Submandibular gland COS associated with lithiasis and LPD; parotid gland COS with stricture.
• Radioiodine sialadenitis and Sjögren's syndrome linked to stricture.
• MR sialography (MR-Si) demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusions:

• Stricture is the primary cause of COS in this patient cohort.
• Lack of papilla distensibility (LPD) is a newly reported significant cause of COS.
• Salivary gland type, patient age, and sex are associated with COS etiology.
• MR-Si offers the highest diagnostic yield for evaluating COS.