Sialadenitis following radioiodine therapy – a new diagnostic and treatment modality

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To explore the usage of salivary gland endoscope technique as a diagnostic tool as well as a novel treatment modality for sialadenitis following radioiodine therapy. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients suffering from sialadenitis of the major salivary glands after I131 therapy for thyroid carcinoma underwent a single procedure of sialoendoscopy under local anesthesia. RESULTS: All the patients were free of sialadenitis after one sialoendoscopy procedure with no complications accompanied. CONCLUSIONS: Sialoendoscopy is an efficient technique with low morbidity as well as a relatively simple surgical method for diagnosing and treating sialadenitis induced by radioiodine therapy for thyroid cancer patients.