Sialendoscopy: what is it and what is its awareness?

Abstract

In expanding the scope of sialendoscopy across the globe and assessing the impact of training activities at the European Sialendoscopy Training Centre, this study was conducted to find out the knowledge and attitude among respondents as well as identify potential obstacles to the initiation of the procedure. Delegates attending the 2011 International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies meeting received a set of five questions. There were a total of 257 responses from 57 countries. Nearly all (238/257) were practising in the academic setting. A significant number of respondents had heard about sialendoscopy (231/257). An equal number found it interesting and were keen to learn more about the procedure (233/257). More than 85 % (219/257) respondents expressed their desire to start sialendoscopy. Hurdles to overcome included financial limitations (110) and "not enough knowledge" (100). Awareness about the existence of the procedure was rather high although the knowledge was limited. Several of the responders seemed keen on starting it, but had not done so due to financial limitations. However, there was a high rate of bias owing to the limited number of responders per country precluding a country-wise inference of awareness. Moreover, meetings of this nature tend to be attended by academics who in general seem to be more aware of new developments than their non-academic peers. Future surveys can address these issues as part of ensuring the universal adoption of sialendoscopy.

The role of interventional sialendoscopy and intraductal steroid therapy in patients with recurrent sine causa sialadenitis: a prospective cross‐sectional study

“…Sialendoscopy, which was introduced in Europe before 1991, is a minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic technique that allows access to the salivary duct system in order to look for causes that cannot be identified by means of conventional imaging techniques . The various flexible, semi‐rigid or variable ultra‐thin scopes currently available have an irrigation channel that allows the salivary duct system to be irrigated saline solution and steroids, and Antoniades et al . have shown that simple intraductal saline irrigation reduces episodes of gland inflammation regardless of the cause.…”