Does diabetes mellitus affect the parotid ductal system? A sialendoscopic evaluation.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the existence of ductal changes in diabetics using sialendoscopy.

STUDY

DESIGN

Twenty patients and 10 volunteers received bilateral parotid diagnostic sialendoscopy. Group I included 10 patients with uncontrolled diabetes (UCD); group II, 10 patients with controlled diabetes (CD); and group III, 10 nondiabetic controls (CG). Expected ductal changes were examined in 3 proposed distinct zones. A χ2 test was used to compare groups.

RESULTS

Ductal pathologic conditions were significantly higher in diabetic patients in all zones. Abnormalities were classified as stenosis, hyperemia, or others. In UCD, stenosis percentage was 55%, 90%, and 100% in zones 1, 2, and 3, respectively, compared with 30%, 40%, and 55% in CD and 5%, 5%, and 0% in CG (P < .01). Hyperemic changes in UCD were 90%, 90%, and 40% compared with 50%, 50%, and 20% in CD (P < .01) and 0% in CG. Comparing zones in UCD and CD indicated that stenosis increased significantly toward the proximal end, whereas hyperemia prevailed toward the distal end.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant ductal abnormalities were detected in the parotids of UCD and CD patients compared with CG. Ductal changes were higher in UCD compared with CD.