Sialochemical examinations in non-tumorous parotid enlargements

Secretion rates and the composition of isolated parotid saliva samples were samples were examined in 51 patients suffering from chronic recurrent parotitis, sialosis, or Sjögren's syndrome, and in 17 healthy controls. Evaluation of the results indicated that sialochemical examination may provide a valuable help in the differential diagnosis of parotid diseases characterized by swelling of the gland. Chronic parotitis is characterized by a significantly decreased flow rate, extremely high sodium and protein concentration and lack of secretory response to stimulation. In Sjögren's syndrome the low flow rate was found to be associated with a decreased potassium secretion rate as well as decreased flow rate and decreased sodium concentration after stimulation. In sialosis, where flow rates display a considerable individual variation, a significant increase in potassium secretion rate could be revealed.