Analysis on the Time/Activity curve of salivary gland scintigraphy in salivary gland diseases

Salivary gland scintigraphy with 99mTcO4- is a simple method to evaluate salivary gland function and has been available as a technique using a time/activity curve for a number of years. But, there were few reports on the relationship between the various patterns of the time/activity curvcs and the salivary flow rate from the gland. This presents correlation between the time/activity curve pattern and the salivary flow rate from the parotid gland.65 patients complaining of xerostomia were examined.62 were female and 3 male (average age 45.6 years, range 17-69years).Their diagnosis were 26 Sjogren Syndrome, 28 suspicion of Sjogren Syndrome and 11 parotiditis.The salivary flow rate from parotid gland was measured by stimulation with 10% citric acid using modified Carlson crittenden cup every 10 seconds for 5 min. 185 MBq 99mTcO4-was injected intravenously and sequential scintigraphy was perfbrmed. Time/activity curves were recorded on film. Six kinds of basic patterns werc followed; Normal pattern, Median pattern, Flat pattern and Sloped pattern (Mita et al 1981), Reaccumulation flat pattern and Poor secretion (Stimulant secretory ratio: less than 70%) pattern by us. The amount of saliva was as follows; Normal pattern (n=31): 5.4+0.4ml, Reaccumulation flat pattern (n=3): 4.2+0.6ml, Poor secretion pattern (n=18): 4.1+0.5ml, Median pattern (n=20): 3.5+0.5ml, Flat pattern (n=11): 2.6+0.5ml and Sloped pattern (n=1): 1.5ml. Normal pattern versus Poor secretion pattern, Median pattern and Flat pattern in the salivary flow rate were statistically significant as determined by Students, t-test.We assessed the correlation between the pattern of time/activity curve in the salivary gland scintigraphy and the amount of saliva.