Significance of Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Sialography in Prognostic Evaluation of Saline Solution Irrigation of the Parotid Gland for the Treatment of Xerostomia

PurposeTo evaluate the clinical significance of dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) sialographic images in prognostic evaluation of saline solution irrigation of the parotid gland for the treatment of xerostomia.Materials and MethodsMorphologic findings and functional parameters were evaluated by use of dynamic MR sialography before saline solution irrigation of the parotid gland for the treatment of xerostomia in 17 patients. In addition, the MR sialographic data before the saline solution irrigation treatment in patients with improvement of salivary secretion and the sensation of dry mouth after irrigation treatment were compared with data in patients without improvement.ResultsThe maximum changing ratio in the group of patients with improvement after treatment was significantly higher (P = .042) than that in the group of patients without improvement. In addition, high correlations were found between the changing ratio and improvement on the visual analog scale for dry mouth sensation after treatment (Pearson r = 0.63, P = .001) and improvement of salivary flow rate (Pearson r = 0.77, P = .001). Moreover, in 12 patients with improvement of salivary flow rate after the saline solution irrigation treatment, the maximum changing ratio before the saline solution irrigation treatment was over 1.2. However, no significant differences in other parameters, including the detectable ductal area, were found between the group of patients with improvement after treatment and the group without improvement.ConclusionsOur study suggests that dynamic MR sialography might be useful for the prognostic evaluation of saline solution irrigation of the parotid gland for the treatment of xerostomia.