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Definition and prevalence of xerostomia were shortly presented. Radiosensitivity of the salivary glands, mechanism, diagnostics, and possible prediction methods of the intensity of xerostomia in the pre-radiotherapy period are widely discussed. Prevention of xerostomia: salivary gland sparing radiotherapy, cytoprotective agents, preservation by stimulation with cholinergic muscarinic agonists, surgical transfer of submandibular glands according to ASCO Management Guidelines and Quality of Life Recommendations were cited. Oral Care Study Group (2010) therapeutic approaches for relieving xerostomia are referred. Current therapies, restricted to symptom relief such as oral hygiene with fluoride agents, antimicrobials to prevent dental caries, saliva substitutes to relieve symptoms, and sialogenic agents to stimulate saliva were also discussed., (Copyright © 2013 Polish Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z.o.o. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Sonoelastography is a novel technique useful in noninvasive assessment of tissue elasticity. This method was found to date to be useful in noninvasive differentiation of benign and malignant lesions of multiple organs: thyroid gland, liver, prostate and breast. Elastograms were scored upon conventional subjective color scale and the detailed stiffness values in kPa were collected., The Aim of the Study: was to examine usefulness of sonoelastography in assessment of salivary glands lesions. Material and Methods the group consisted of 99 patients treated in Department of Otolaryngology. 52 patients after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, 4 treated for inflammatory disease - 2 Sjoegren syndrome, 2 acute sialoadenitis and 43 consecutive patients with parotid tumors. The control group constituted 54 healthy volunteers., Results: the mean stiffness value in 10 malignant tumors was 146.6 kPa and 88.7 kPa in 33 benign, the mean stiffness value of glandular parenchyma after radiotherapy was 43.18 kPa and in inflammatory disease 63.66 kPa. Mean elasticity of reference glandular tissue was 24.23 kPa., Conclusions: sonoelastography is fast, repetitive, noninvasive and objective method and it is useful in assessment of salivary glands lesions., (Copyright © 2012 Polish Otolaryngology Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z.o.o. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The introduction of minimally invasive surgical procedures has significantly reduced the rate of major salivary gland removal due to sialolithiasis. The aim of the analysis was to assess the effectiveness of sialoendoscopy and combined approach in most difficult cases., Material and Methods: prospective study, tertiary university centre (Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Poznan), between XII 2008 and V 2012, 207 sialendoscopies were performed in 197 patients. In this number 158 patients had obstructive pathology of salivary glands, 95 confirmed gland or duct sialolithiasis: parotid - 31 and submandibular - 64., Results: In the group of submandibular lithaiasis in 40 cases (62.5%) stones were removed endoscopically. Double approach (sialendoscopy and incision of mucosa of the floor of the mouth with removal of the stone was performed in 21 cases (32.8%). Only in 3 cases removal of submandibular gland was necessary. In the group of parotid sialolithiasis in 17 cases (54%) endoscopy was the definite treatment, in 9 litothrypsy (ESWL) were necessary and in 5 combined approach. This five patients who failed SE were treated by combined transcutaneous (open surgery) and endoscopic procedure. We observed no incidence of salivary fistula after the incision of the duct; there was also no stenosis of the natural ostium due to the insertion of a stent., Conclusions: Sialoendoscopy is method of choice with high rate of success and gland preservation in small and moderate stones. The combined approach is indicated for large stones, complications and where there is a contraindication to established minimally invasive procedures., (Copyright © 2012 Polish Otolaryngology Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z.o.o. All rights reserved.)