Salivary gland scintigraphy with 99mTc-pertechnetate in Sjögren's syndrome: relationship to clinicopathologic features of salivary and lacrimal glands

Salivary gland scintigraphy was performed on 52 patients who were suspected of having Sjögren's syndrome (SS). and the results were compared with clinicopathologic features of the salivary and lacrimal glands. The time-activity curves which were obtained from computer-assisted analysis of ^99mTc-pertechnetate (^99mTc) scintigraphy were classified into four types (normal, median, flat and sloped types). The stimulated parotid flow rate decreased and the incidence of SS-related sialographic and histopathologic findings increased significantly as the scintigraphic abnormality advanced. In addition, the lacrimal gland function decreased and the proportion of patients diagnosed as having keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) increased significantly as the scintigraphic abnormality advanced. These results indicate that the results of scintigraphy are related not only to the clinicopathologic features of the salivary glands but also to the lacrimal gland function in SS.     

Effect of HAART on salivary gland function in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS)

Objective:  To determine the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on salivary gland function in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive women from the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS).
Design:  Longitudinal cohort study.
Subjects and methods:  A total of 668 HIV positive women from the WIHS cohort with an initial and at least one follow-up oral sub-study visit contributed 5358 visits. Salivary gland function was assessed based on a dry mouth questionnaire, whole unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rates, salivary gland enlargement or tenderness and lack of saliva on palpation of the major salivary glands.
Main outcome measures:  Changes in unstimulated and stimulated flow rates at any given visit from that of the immediate prior visit (continuous variables). The development of self-reported dry mouth (present/absent), enlargement or tenderness of salivary glands (present/absent), and absence of secretion on palpation of the salivary glands were binary outcomes (yes/no).
Results:  Protease Inhibitor (PI) based HAART was a significant risk factor for developing decreased unstimulated ( P  =   0.01) and stimulated ( P  =   0.0004) salivary flow rates as well as salivary gland enlargement ( P  =   0.006) as compared with non-PI based HAART.
Conclusions:  PI-based HAART therapy is a significant risk factor for developing reduced salivary flow rates and salivary gland enlargement in HIV positive patients.     

Alteration in salivary function in early HIV infection

The etiology of salivary gland hypofunction in HIV(+) patients is unclear. This study was designed to determine the effect of early-stage HIV(+) infection (CD4(+) > 200 cells/ micro L; n = 139) on salivary gland function and the relationship of this dysfunction to the taking of xerostomic medications. Salivary flow rates and the content of electrolytes and antimicrobial proteins in stimulated parotid and submandibular/sublingual saliva were determined. Compared with healthy controls (n = 50), the HIV(+) group showed significant reductions in flow rates of unstimulated whole (35%), stimulated parotid (47%), unstimulated submandibular/sublingual (23%), and stimulated submandibular/sublingual (39%) saliva. The flow rates for the HIV(+) patients taking xerostomic medications did not differ from those of patients who did not. Concentrations of some salivary gland components were altered in the HIV(+) group. Analysis of these data suggests that salivary gland function is adversely affected early in HIV infection and that these changes do not appear to be compounded by the taking of xerostomic medications.     

Effect of 0.1% pilocarpine mouthwash on xerostomia: double‐blind,randomised controlled trial

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 0.1% pilocarpine mouthwash in xerostomic patients. Sixty volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups. The experimental group used 0.1% pilocarpine solution, and the control group used 0.9% saline. The short‐ and long‐term effects of pilocarpine were investigated by measuring the severity of oral dryness, minor salivary flow rates and unstimulated whole salivary flow rate at predetermined times. The severity of oral dryness was decreased in both groups at 0, 30 and 60 min after mouthwashing, with no significant difference between the groups. Buccal and labial secretions were increased in both groups, but only the experimental group exhibited increased palatal secretion. Labial and palatal secretions, but not buccal secretion, differed between the groups. The unstimulated whole salivary flow rate was increased in the experimental group and differed from that in the control group. After 4 weeks, the severity of oral dryness was decreased in both groups and did not differ between them. The oral dryness at night or on awakening significantly decreased in both groups, with no significant difference between them, but the oral dryness at other times of the day and the difficulty in swallowing foods were not significantly changed in both groups. Minor salivary and unstimulated whole salivary flow rates did not increase in both groups. Until 1 h after mouthwashing, 0.1% pilocarpine mouthwash increased minor salivary and unstimulated whole salivary secretions, but was not superior compared with 0.9% saline at relieving subjective oral dryness.     

Scintigraphic evaluation of salivary gland function in thyroid cancer patients after radioiodine remnant ablation

Radioiodine (¹³¹I, RAI) has traditionally been used in thyroid cancer treatment but its benefit should be balanced against possible risks. Among them, salivary gland dysfunction has often been discussed, although the reported data have been inconsistent. The aim of our prospective study was to evaluate salivary gland function in 31 thyroidectomised patients (6 men, 25 women; median age 52 yr) before and 4–6 months after RAI remnant ablation (RRA), using activity of 3.7 GBq ¹³¹I-NaI. Salivary gland uptake and excretion fractions were quantitatively assessed with ^99mTc – pertechnetate salivary gland scintigraphy. Pre- and post-treatment values were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank test. No statistically significant difference in the pre- and post-treatment values was observed in parotid or submandibular glands uptake, or in the parotid or submandibular excretion fractions. The calculated power for minimum relevant difference of 25% with the sample size of 31 ranged between 86% and 96% for the individual variables, making our negative results reasonably reliable. The results suggest that RRA with the most commonly used activity of 3.7 GBq has no important impact on salivary gland function. Therefore, the concerns about putative salivary gland functional deterioration following RRA are probably unjustified.     

Evaluation of the nucleolar organizer region associated proteins in minor salivary gland tumors

Forty-three intraoral salivary gland tumors were studied to determine the value of the AgNOR technique in the assessment of these neoplasms. Well defined black dots were visible in the nucleii of all the specimens studied. The mean AgNOR count per nucleus for each tumor was calculated as follows: pleomorphic adenoma (n = 15) 1.52; Polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma (n = 12) 1.90; adenoid cystic carcinoma (n = 6) 2.92; mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n = 4) 1.93; carcinoma ex mixed tumor (n = 4) 2.05; undifferentiated carcinoma (n = 1) 3.13 and epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (n = 1) 2.23. The difference between the means of benign and malignant tumors (P less than 0.01) and polymorphous low-grade adenocarcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma (P less than 0.01) were highly significant. The overlapping of the AgNOR count between various tumors prohibited the use of this technique as an absolute criterion in establishing a final diagnosis. It could however be used as a diagnostic aid in differentiating between salivary gland neoplasms.     

Salivary gland parameters and clinical data related to the underlying disorder in patients with persisting xerostomia

This study assessed salivary gland parameters and clinical data in patients referred to our clinic because of persisting xerostomia of unknown origin, in order to facilitate early diagnosis and recognition of the underlying disorder. Most patients were referred for diagnostic analysis of a possible Sjögren's syndrome (SS). A complete diagnostic work‐up was available in all patients (n = 176), including data on salivary gland function, saliva composition, sialography, salivary gland swelling, pattern of complaints, general health, and medication. Patients were diagnosed with SS (n = 62), sialosis (n = 45), sodium retention syndrome (n = 30), or medication‐induced xerostomia (n = 9). In 30 patients no disease related to salivary gland pathology was found. Unstimulated whole salivary flow was decreased in all patients, except in patients with sodium retention syndrome and in patients without salivary gland pathology. Submandibular/sublingual salivary flow was lowest in SS patients. SS and sialosis patients had increased salivary potassium concentrations, whereas only SS patients had increased sodium concentrations. About half of the sialosis patients mainly complained of persistent parotid gland swelling. Xerostomia‐inducing medication was used by most patients. It was concluded that gland‐specific sialometry and sialochemistry is useful in discriminating between the various disorders causing persisting xerostomia.     

p21Waf1/Cip1与Skp2在涎腺肿瘤中的表达及意义

目的:研究p21 Waf1/Cip1与Skp2在涎腺良、恶性肿瘤中的表达及临床意义。方法:应用免疫组织化学SABC法检测10例正常涎腺组织、20例涎腺良性肿瘤、33例涎腺恶性肿瘤组织中p21 Waf1/Cip1和Skp2蛋白的表达情况,分析它们表达之间的相关性。结果:p21 Waf1/Cip1在涎腺正常组织以及涎腺良、恶性肿瘤的表达率依次降低,各组之间存在显著性差异(x2=11.113,P=0.006)。Skp2在涎腺恶性肿瘤中的阳性表达率(75.76%)明显高于良性肿瘤组织(35.00%),差异有显著性意义(x2=19.128,P=0.001)。p21 Waf1/Cip1与Skp2在涎腺良性肿瘤中的表达呈负相关,但相关性不明显(r=-0.390,P=0.089);它们在涎腺恶性肿瘤中的表达呈显著性负相关(r=-0.467,P=0.006)。结论:p21Waf1/Cip1低表达以及Skp2高表达与涎腺肿瘤的发生、发展密切相关。Skp2可能通过下调p21 Waf1/Cip1蛋白的表达而参与涎腺肿瘤的形成过程。     

Hyposalivation in a 16‐year‐old girl: a case of salivary gland aplasia

Salivary gland aplasia is a rare condition with only a small number of cases reported worldwide. It is more commonly seen in males and can occur either in isolation or association with other defects or syndromes. It may or may not occur with a hereditary background. Scant literature exists detailing the status of sublingual salivary glands in patients with any form of major salivary gland aplasia. This case report describes the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging presentation of a 16‐year‐old girl with major salivary gland aplasia detailing the status of all six major salivary glands.     

Salivary gland progenitor cell biology provides a rationale for therapeutic salivary gland regeneration

Oral Diseases (2011) 17 , 445–449 An irreversible loss of salivary gland function often occurs in humans after removal of salivary tumors, after therapeutic radiation of head and neck tumors, as a result of Sjögren’s syndrome and in genetic syndromes affecting gland development. The permanent loss of gland function impairs the oral health of these patients and broadly affects their quality of life. The regeneration of functional salivary gland tissue is thus an important therapeutic goal for the field of regenerative medicine and will likely involve stem/progenitor cell biology and/or tissue engineering approaches. Recent reports demonstrate how both innervation of the salivary gland epithelium and certain growth factors influence progenitor cell growth during mouse salivary gland development. These advances in our understanding suggest that developmental mechanisms of mouse salivary gland development may provide a paradigm for postnatal regeneration of both mice and human salivary glands. Herein, we will discuss the developmental mechanisms that influence progenitor cell biology and the implications for salivary gland regeneration.     

DNA flow cytometry of reclassified subtypes of malignant salivary gland tumors

Malignant salivary gland tumors are rare, constitute a heterogeneous group and are often difficult to diagnose histologically. This is borne out by the fact that in the present study 43.2% of 118 salivary gland tumors originally diagnosed as mucoepidermoid, acinic cell and adenoid cystic carcinomas had their original diagnosis altered upon reclassification. Patients with confirmed adenoid cystic carcinomas had a much worse prognosis than those with mucoepidermoid and acinic cell carcinomas.
DNA flow cytometry showed that very few of the above mentioned three types of malignant neoplasms revealed aneuploid DNA stemlines, indicating that this is not a relevant prognostic tumor marker within the groups. However, several of the tumors that had their diagnosis changed, mostly to undifferentiated adenoor squamous cell carcinomas, showed aneuploid DNA stemlines. The survival time of patients with aneuploid tumors was considerably reduced compared to those with diploid tumors. Among confirmed acinic cell, mucoepidermoid and adenoid cystic carcinomas the S-phase fraction was a significant prognostic factor, as it was among all tumors examined. This indicates that DNA aneuploidy and S-phase fractions are potential prognostic factors for malignant salivary gland tumors, and that DNA flow cytometry may assist the characterization of such tumors.     

Analysis of residual saliva and minor salivary gland secretions in patients with dry mouth

The importance of oral mucosal wetness in the condition of dry mouth and the role of salivary proteins in proper oral function are acknowledged. A negative correlation between mucosal wetness and the protein concentration of residual saliva has been reported in normosalivators. Here, to examine the suggestion that a reduction in residual salivary volume leads to a concomitant elevation of its protein concentration, the amount of residual saliva and minor salivary gland secretions, and their protein concentrations, were measured in hyposalivators and normosalivator controls. A Periotron 8000 micro-moisture meter was used to measure the thickness of the mucosal film at six selected mucosal surfaces and the minor salivary gland secretion rate at two mucosal surfaces. The unstimulated whole salivary flow rate was measured by the spitting method. The total protein concentration of all salivary samples was measured by bicinchoninic acid assay. The hyposalivators had significantly lower amounts of residual saliva and minor salivary gland secretions than the normosalivators at all selected mucosal sites except the soft palate. In both groups, the site with the thinnest coat of residual saliva was the anterior hard palate and the wettest site was the anterior dorsal mucosa of the tongue. The protein concentration of residual saliva was significantly higher in hyposalivators than normosalivators. In the minor salivary gland secretions there was no significant difference in protein concentration between the normo- and hyposalivators. When the hyposalivators were divided into two subgroups according to their severity of dryness, the reduction of residual salivary volume and the elevation of protein concentration were more apparent in the group with the more severe dry mouth. Collectively, these results indicate that oral mucosal wetness is associated with the flow rate of unstimulated whole saliva. The function of the minor salivary glands was less affected and relatively well preserved in patients with dry mouth. The increased protein concentration of residual saliva in the hyposalivators appeared to be the result of decreased salivary volume.     

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目的    探讨舌下腺恶性肿瘤的发病情况、病理特征、治疗方式及疗效特点。方法    对1979—2010年中国医科大学附属口腔医院及中国医科大学附属第一医院收治的34例经病理确诊的舌下腺恶性肿瘤病例临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果    34例舌下腺恶性肿瘤患者中,男15例,女19例;年龄20～86岁,平均52.12岁;40～60岁年龄段为22例（64.71%）;病理类型中腺样囊性癌居首位（70.59%）;治疗方式主要是局部扩大切除+颈淋巴结清扫术;3、5、10年存活率分别为82.35%、76.47%、47.06%。结论    舌下腺恶性肿瘤女性患者发病率略高于男性;腺样囊性癌和黏液表皮样癌是舌下腺常见的恶性肿瘤;首次正确选择术式,且术后辅助放化疗是降低复发和转移的主要因素。     

大鼠涎腺放射损伤模型的建立及NBS1的表达变化

目的：研究大鼠涎腺放射损伤模型中NBS1基因的表达,初步探讨其在放射性涎腺上皮细胞损伤修复中的调控作用。方法：放射组40只大鼠以^60Coγ射线分次照射,每次3GY,隔天1次,共5次,累积剂量分别为3、6、9、12、15GY,对照组40只大鼠同期进行麻醉。照射后2-4h,收集大鼠腮腺,颌下腺。应用苏木素-伊红染色（HE）和透射电镜观察涎腺组织的显微和超微结构变化;应用逆转录聚合酶链技术（RT—PCR）检测腮腺、颌下腺NBS1mRNA的表达情况。结果：腮腺较颌下腺组织损伤严重;放射组和正常组比较,腮腺放射剂量9GY组起,颌下腺于12GY组起,NBS1mRNA表达水平减少（P〈0．05）。结论：大鼠涎腺放射损伤模型建立成功,NBS1可能参与涎腺放射损伤修复。     

涎腺黏液腺癌1例

黏液腺癌是一种少见的上皮性恶性肿瘤,好发于阑尾、胰腺、乳腺等部位,发生于涎腺者罕见。本文报道1例发生在涎腺的黏液腺癌,并对相关文献进行复习。     

Rare expression of the c-erbB-2 oncoprotein in salivary gland tumors: an immunohistochemical study

An immunohistochemical study of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein expression was carried out on 201 cases of primary salivary gland tumors, using a polyclonal antibody, raised to the intracytoplasmic domain of the c-erbB-2 oncogene product. An intense membrane reactivity was observed in one case of sialocarcinoma transformed from pleomorphic adenoma (n = 8) and one case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (n = 22). A comparative histopathologic evaluation of c-erbB-2 positive tumors showed marked variation in cell size, nuclear pleomorphism, multinucleation, a high mitotic rate and increased lymphoid cell infiltration and an aggressive clinical course with poor survival. The results indicate that c-erbB-2 oncoprotein is rarely expressed in malignant salivary gland tumors. However, the overexpression appears to have a distinct histopathologic feature, but a larger study incorporating histopathology and clinical data would be necessary to correlate the significance of c-erbB-2 oncogene product in salivary malignant tumors.     

Salivary gland function and xerostomia in southern Chinese following radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is rare among Caucasians but very common among southern Chinese. No information is presently available on the relationship between salivary gland function and xerostomia in irradiated southern Chinese. Salivary gland function and xerostomia were measured in irradiated NPC patients, recently diagnosed NPC patients, and a matched control group. Stimulated whole saliva was collected from each participant and flow rate, pH and buffer capacity measured. All participants completed a multi-item dry mouth questionnaire. Comparisons were made using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests and correlations assessed using Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. The mean saliva flow rate and pH were significantly lower and the buffer capacity impaired in irradiated NPC patients compared with the other groups (P<0.01). Significantly more irradiated NPC patients had negative impacts associated with dry mouth generally, sticky saliva, and hoarse voice (P<0.01). Subjective dry mouth symptoms and associated reduced saliva flow were also relatively common in non-irradiated participants. Salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia were major complications in irradiated NPC patients. In irradiated and non-irradiated southern Chinese, subjective dry mouth symptoms appeared to be correlated with actual salivary gland function.     

Acute salivary gland hypofunction in the duct ligation model in the absence of inflammation

Objective:  The commonly associated aetiology of salivary gland inflammation and salivary hypofunction has led to the widely held belief that inflammation causes salivary gland hypofunction. Indeed, our own recent study seemed to support this contention. Here, we tested the hypothesis that, in an acute duct ligation model, eliminating inflammation the submandibular gland would recover normal function.
Materials and methods:  Ligation of the rat submandibular gland excretory duct for 24 h was used to induce inflammation and salivary gland hypofunction. A group of duct ligated rats was compared with a second group given dexamethasone, on the day of duct ligation. Twenty-four hours later salivary gland function was assessed and salivary glands were collected.
Results:  Histology and myeloperoxidase activity assay revealed a profound decrease in inflammatory cell infiltration of ligated glands from rats given dexamethasone, compared with ligated glands in the absence of dexamethasone. Salivary flow rate evoked by methacholine was decreased ( P  < 0.01) by approximately 56% (ligated vs control, 79 ± 9  μ l min⁻¹ g⁻¹ vs 177 ± 11  μ l min⁻¹ g⁻¹) and salivary flow from ligated dexamethasone-treated and ligated glands was similar.
Conclusion:  Despite eliminating the inflammatory reaction in the ligated gland, salivary hypofunction was not reversed, suggesting that other mechanisms must be at work in the ligation-induced salivary hypofunction.     

3种方法治疗涎腺黏液囊肿的临床研究

目的评价应用微波治疗、平阳霉素硬化疗法、手术切除3种方法对涎腺黏液囊肿的治疗效果。方法共纳入123例涎腺黏液囊肿患者,按照其接受的治疗情况被分为微波治疗组（35例）、平阳霉素硬化治疗组（40例）、手术切除组（48例）,分别采用相应治疗。治疗后半年随访并观察疗效。结果3组患者基线指标差异无统计学意义。所有患者均得到随访。微波治疗组治愈率94．29％,平阳霉素硬化治疗组治愈率95．00％,手术切除组治愈率95．83％;3种治疗方法疗效差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论微波治疗和平阳霉素注射治疗是手术治疗涎腺黏液囊肿的有效补充,可以用于幼儿及不能耐受或不愿手术的患者的治疗中。