Sialographic changes in chronic obstructive parotitis related to clinical and pathologic findings

This study presents a study on 23 patients with chronic obstructive parotitis (COP) in whom the sialographic changes are related to the clinical and histopathological features. The sialographic changes are divided into 4 types. The stimulated parotid flow rate (SPFR) is normal in sialography Type I patients, while SPFR is significantly reduced in Type II, III, and IV patients, as compared with healthy persons. The changes under light microscope consist of irregular dilatation and chronic inflammation of main and branching ducts with saliva deposits in the enlarged luminal system. Ultrastructural changes include degeneration of ductal epithelial cells, marked proliferation of periductal fibrous tissue, and moderate electron-dense deposits in the lumen of the dilated peripheral ducts. The extent of the histopathologic changes largely parallel the severity of the sialographic changes. These findings indicate that COP is a common inflammatory disease and that the sialographic classification reflects the severity of the disease.