How to do parotid gland radiography

Parotid gland angiography refers to an imaging examination of the parotid gland. Parotid gland angiography is often used in clinical practice to diagnose chronic mumps, parotid cancer and other diseases. It is known as the gold standard for diagnosing parotid duct diseases. The clinical application of parotid gland angiography is very important and has great significance for diagnosing the benign and malignant nature of parotid gland tumors. Many people have a strong resistance to angiography, so it is helpful for patients to understand the process of parotid angiography.

Indications

Observe the parotid gland and its duct for any lesions as well as the nature and extent of the lesions. It is often used in the diagnosis of diseases such as parotid tumors and chronic mumps. It is also commonly used in the auxiliary diagnosis of Sjogren syndrome (SS).

Inspection method

Inject 1-2 ml of iodized oil into the parotid duct, press the opening of the parotid duct with a sterilized cotton ball, take an X-ray of the filling, remove the cotton ball, hold it in vinegar for 5 minutes, and then take an X-ray of the emptying.

The results were graded from 0 to IV: Grade 0 was normal; Grade I was parotid duct dilatation, delayed emptying, reduced branch ducts or small cystic changes (diameter < 2 mm); Grade II had Grade I manifestations, and the diameter of the cystic changes was > 2 mm; Grade III was parotid main duct destruction, branch duct disappearance, and partial fusion of cystic destruction; Grade IV was parotid duct and branch duct showing mulberry-like changes.

Clinical significance

1. Parotid gland tumor

Parotid gland radiography is helpful in determining whether the tumor is benign or malignant. Some people analyzed the angiography findings of primary parotid gland tumors and divided them into five categories: benign signs, invasive benign tumors, low-grade malignant signs, malignant signs, and adenolymphoma, with a consistency rate of 81.9% with pathological diagnosis. Among them, benign tumors accounted for 89.3%, malignant tumors accounted for 58.5%, and adenolymphoma accounted for 88.9%.

2. Chronic mumps

(1) Chronic recurrent parotitis: Parotid gland angiography shows no abnormalities in the main duct and intraglandular duct; the peripheral duct is dilated in a punctate or spherical manner and empties slowly.

(2) Chronic obstructive parotitis: Parotid gland angiography shows partial stenosis of the main duct, interlobar duct, and interlobular duct, presenting sausage-like changes.

3. Sjögren's syndrome

For the diagnosis of SS based on parotid duct lesions, terminal duct dilatation is an ideal screening diagnostic criterion, while rough edges of branch ducts and main ducts are the confirmatory criteria for SS.