The Journal of Laryngology & Otology

Table of Contents - 2004 - Volume 118, Issue 02  



(RF) Otorhinolaryngology

Effects of the chorda tympani damage on submandibular glands: scintigraphic changes

C. Yagmur a1, M. C. Miman a2, E. Karatas a2, M. Akarcay a2, T. Erdem a2 and O. Ozturan a2
a1 Department of Nuclear Medicine, Inonu University School of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey
a2 Department of Otolaryngology, Inonu University School of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey

Article author query
yagmur c   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
miman mc   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
karatas e   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
akarcay m   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
erdem t   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 
ozturan o   [PubMed][Google Scholar] 

Abstract

The aim of this study is to compare the scintigraphic results of a denervated submandibular gland with the contralateral normal side in patients with unilateral chorda tympani damage. Sixteen patients (11 women and five men with a mean age of 27) with unilateral proven chorda tympani damage during their previous ear surgery were included in the study. The perfusion ratio (PR), concentration ratio (CR) and stimulated excretion ratio (SER) were calculated scintigraphically and the results from the salivary glands on opposite sides were compared.

For submandibular glands, the perfusion ratio (PR), concentration ratio (CR) and stimulated excretion ratio (SER) were found to be 0.65 ± 0.21, 0.70 ± 0.21, 0.79 ± 0.37, respectively. All ratios resulted from statistically decreased radioactivity accumulation on the affected side (p<0.05).

Chorda tympani damage negatively affects the function of the ipsilateral submandibular glands despite the absence of atrophy. Dynamic salivary gland scintigraphy is a practical and valuable method of disclosing the decreased capacity of perfusion, concentration and secretion function in unilateral neurological deprivation.


Key Words: CHord Tympani Nerve; Wound and Injuries; Submandibular Gland; Radionuclide Imaging.

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