Pain and swelling after sialography: Is it a significant problem?

Objectives:This study investigated the incidence of pain and swelling after sialography and quantified the duration and severity of these symptoms. Study Design:Sialography was performed on 92 patients who were then given a questionnaire to complete. Seventy-two questionnaires were returned and completed in a satisfactory manner. The patients were asked to assess pain and swelling before and after the sialogram was performed by using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Comparisons between postsialographic measurements and baseline measures were carried out by using Friedman repeated measures analysis of variance on ranks. Results:VAS scores increased significantly for both pain and swelling 1 hour after the sialogram (T1). The scores for swelling returned to baseline levels after 1 day (T2). The VAS for pain showed a similar pattern, but 2 days after the sialogram (T3), the scores were significantly lower, compared with those before the sialogram (P<.05). Conclusions:Sialography is a safe procedure. Patients should be advised that minor effects may last approximately 1 day. A reduction in pain to below baseline levels was noted 2 days after sialography, which may suggest an unexpected benefit of sialography. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2000;90:385-8)