Sialoendoscopy: three years' experience as a diagnostic and treatment modality

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Sialolithiasis, or salivary stones, causes significant discomfort and obstruction in major salivary glands.
• Traditional diagnostic methods like radiography, sialography, and ultrasound have limitations in detecting all salivary calculi.
• Endoscopic techniques offer a potential advancement in both diagnosing and treating salivary gland ductal pathologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the application of endoscopy in treating sialolithiasis.
• To compare the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopy with conventional imaging methods for salivary stones.
• To evaluate endoscopy as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for obstructive salivary gland diseases.

Main Methods:

• Forty-six patients with suspected obstructive salivary gland pathology underwent sialoendoscopy using a rigid mini endoscope.
• Indications included screening for residual calculi, assessing ductal patency, and direct visualization of the ductal system.
• Procedures were performed on major salivary glands in patients aged 12 to 65 years.

Main Results:

• Sialoendoscopy was successful in 41 of 46 attempted procedures.
• Salivary stones were diagnosed in 32 patients, while nine had sialadenitis without stones.
• Conventional imaging missed 32% of submandibular and 70% of parotid sialoliths, highlighting endoscopy's superior diagnostic yield.

Conclusions:

• Endoscopy is a minimally invasive and highly effective technique for the removal of salivary calculi.
• Sialoendoscopy serves as an excellent diagnostic procedure, revealing pathologies often missed by other imaging modalities.
• The technique facilitates direct visualization of ductal structures and pathologies, aiding in comprehensive patient management.