Sialography Procedure and Steps Online

Opacified Submandibular Gland

Sialography is an radiologic examination of salivary glands and ducts with the use of water based iodinated contrast media. A modem modality the Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging techniques are use for suspected lession and stones because it give more clearer view of anatomy but it is more expensive than the sialographic procedure. Sialography is still performed to demonstrate such conditions like inflammatory lessions and tumors, determining the extend of salivary fistulae and to locate the diverticulalae, strictures, and calculi. Because the glands are in paired and the pair are in lesser distance from each other, the sialographic procedure can only examine one gland at a time.

Following Steps in Performing Sialography:

• Radiopaque contrast medium is injected to the main duct and flow
• s into the intraglandular ductiles, making visible the surrounding glandular parenchyma and the duct system.

Parotid gland with the patient's teeth

• Take preliminary radiograph to detect any abnormal condition without contrast medium and to establish the optimal technique factor.

• Let the patient suck a lemon (a secretory stimulant) 2 to 3 minutes before the sialographic procedure to open the duct for identification of its orifice and for easier passage of a catheter or cannula. After the examination has completed let the patient suck another lemon to stimulate rapid evacuation of the contrast used.

• Radiograph is taken in about 10 mins after completing the procedure to make sure the clearance of  contrast medium, if needed.

• With the use of syringe and connected to cannula or catheter is injected by manual pressure of most performing physicians. Some physicians recommend hydrostatic pressure only for introducing the contrast medium. Recent method requires the use of water soluble iodinated contrast medium, with contrast solution container, commonly a syringe barrel with plunger removed, with a distance of 28 inches or 70 cm from the patients mouth are attached to drip stand.With the guidance of  fluoroscopy is sometimes requested by other physicians when performing the procedure to obtain also a spot radiographs.