Sialoendoscopy

The sialendoscopy (or salivary duct endoscopy ) denotes the reflection of the salivary glands and the duct system within a salivary gland.

Swelling of the salivary glands are a well known ENT medical disease and require clarification. Diagnostic imaging techniques are particularly helpful in addition to medical history and clinical examination. Here, v. a, ​​ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are. Swells a salivary gland repeated shortly before, during or after eating, so an obstructive ( clogging ) cause must be suspected. In about 60% of cases this is a salivary stone ( Sialolithiasis ) is the cause. The suspected diagnosis of a salivary stone happens clinically in the first place, that is, solely by the medical history and clinical examination. An ultrasound examination of the salivary gland should be part of the standard diagnostics. Only on special issues helps further imaging (MRI, CT) or, in exceptional cases, a Sialografie or Speicheldrüsenszintigrafie on.

Until a few years ago was also small stones, provided they are not directly in front of the ostium, so the hole in the oral cavity, were the only causal treatment option in the distance of each salivary gland. Meanwhile, there is a process in which the transition system of a salivary gland visualized with a tiny endoscopic camera - can be - made ​​visible. This technique, known as sialendoscopy method primarily provides initially a diagnostic procedure dar. If necessary, however, the sialendoscopy can be converted to a therapeutic intervention and for example, a properties under duct stone be removed with a trap and a Zängelchen ( interventional sialendoscopy ). In cases of suspected gang pathology sialendoscopy the Sialografie appears as a diagnostic tool to consider now.

Can not a stone in the sialendoscopy be found, then a drainage of the saliva, such as a cicatricial stenosis ( narrowing ) of the duct system or be the cause of the ostium. This stenosis may be resolved by using the sialendoscopy because the ostium is expanded to up to 10 times its original size already by the diagnostic sialendoscopy. For stenoses in the further course of history, a balloon catheter can be used. Inflammation of the duct system ( Sialodochitis ) may be cause of recurring swelling or inflammation of the entire gland. By sialendoscopy this can be diagnosed. In addition, the sialendoscopy has also a therapeutic effect, since during the procedure continuously flushing liquid flows through the gland. Also, drugs can be administered directly into the canal system in this way.

The procedure carries little overall risks; it can be an outpatient basis in most cases and in many cases local anesthesia. The operation is taken over by the insurance company.

In Germany, the process has been known for some years and is now offered by a few specialized salivary gland diseases ENT- university hospitals.