A L Brown1, D Shepherd, T M Buckenham. 1. Department of Radiology, St. George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0QT, United Kingdom.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of balloon dilatation of salivary duct stenosis and to discuss the technique and its limitations. METHODS: Balloon dilatation of 30 salivary duct stenoses (24 parotid, 6 submandibular) was carried out in 29 patients over a 5-year period. Duct dilatation was performed with a 3-mm-diameter balloon on a 0.035-inch wire passed into the salivary duct under fluoroscopic guidance. The follow-up period ranged from 1 month to 5 years. RESULTS: In 25 patients balloon dilatation was technically successful in 26 of 30 ducts (87%). Ninety-six percent of parotid duct dilatations and 50% of submandibular duct dilatations were technically successful. Early clinical follow-up after parotid duct dilatation showed that 57% of patients were asymptomatic, 39% showed an improvement in symptoms, and 4% showed no improvement in symptoms. Following technically successful submandibular duct dilatation (3 cases), 1 patient showed complete resolution of symptoms and 1 showed no change in symptoms. No follow-up was available for 1 patient. No significant complications were seen. The longer-term results are presented. CONCLUSION: Balloon dilatation of salivary duct stenosis is a simple, safe, and clinically effective method of relieving obstructive symptoms of parotid duct stenosis.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of balloon dilatation of salivary duct stenosis and to discuss the technique and its limitations. METHODS: Balloon dilatation of 30 salivary duct stenoses (24 parotid, 6 submandibular) was carried out in 29 patients over a 5-year period. Duct dilatation was performed with a 3-mm-diameter balloon on a 0.035-inch wire passed into the salivary duct under fluoroscopic guidance. The follow-up period ranged from 1 month to 5 years. RESULTS: In 25 patients balloon dilatation was technically successful in 26 of 30 ducts (87%). Ninety-six percent of parotid duct dilatations and 50% of submandibular duct dilatations were technically successful. Early clinical follow-up after parotid duct dilatation showed that 57% of patients were asymptomatic, 39% showed an improvement in symptoms, and 4% showed no improvement in symptoms. Following technically successful submandibular duct dilatation (3 cases), 1 patient showed complete resolution of symptoms and 1 showed no change in symptoms. No follow-up was available for 1 patient. No significant complications were seen. The longer-term results are presented. CONCLUSION:Balloon dilatation of salivary duct stenosis is a simple, safe, and clinically effective method of relieving obstructive symptoms of parotid duct stenosis.