The Study on the Diagnostic Value of Salivary Gland Scintigraphy in Patients with Xerostomia

구강건조증 환자의 타액선 스캔의 진단학적 가치에 관한 연구

The present study was performed to investigate the relationship between the salivary flow rate and the interpretation results of salivary scan in the patients with dry mouth. Twenty-five patients with dry mouth who visited the Dept. of Oral Medicine & Oral Diagnosis, Seoul National University Dental Hospital, were included. The unstimulated whole salivary flow rate was determined by the spitting method and the stimulated whole salivary flow rate was measured with gum-base chewing. Salivary scan was performed after the infusion of $^{99m}technetium$ pertechnetate(Tc) and interpreted. The obtained results were as follows: 1. The unstimulated and stimulated whole salivary flow rate were significantly decreased compared to normal value, which reflected the extensive destruction of salivary gland function in the patients with dry mouth. 2. The unstimulated and stimulated whole salivary flow rate were decreased in the group with decreased function in salivary scan compared with the group with normal function in salivary scan. However, there was no statistical significance between groups. 3. The difference between the stimulated and unstimulated whole salivary flow rates was greater in the group with normal function in salivary scan compared with the group with decreased function in salivary scan. 4. There was significant positive correlation between the stimulated and unstimulated whole salivary flow rates. The level of correlation was higher in the group with decreased function in salivary scan than the group with normal function in salivary scan. Collectively, these data suggested that salivary scan had the limited value. The comprehensive evaluation including history taking, clinical examination, clinical laboratory as well as the measurement of salivary flow rate are need for patients with dry mouth.