Sequential quantitative scintigraphy of parotid glands with chronic inflammatory diseases.

A practical, time-saving procedure for sequential quantitative scintigraphy is introduced and 4 parameters chosen from 12 parameters by discriminant analysis are used to evaluate the function of the parotid gland. The examination was performed in 120 cases, including 16 cases with recurrent parotitis in childhood, 33 with chronic obstructive parotitis (COP), 37 with Sjögren's syndrome (SS), 4 with sialadenosis, and 30 normal controls. The scintigraphic findings were analyzed and compared with the histologic findings. The diagnostic value of this method was investigated and scaling for differential diagnosis of COP and SS was established. Scintigraphy is considered to be a useful method for evaluation of parotid function and as a diagnostic aid for SS and COP, especially in patients in whom sialography cannot be performed.