Aspects of Salivary Gland Scintigraphy with (99M)Tc-Pertechnetate

摘要

An outline of the normal pattern of /sup 99m/Tc-pertechnetate uptake and excretion by the major salivary glands is presented, followed by a description of the criteria used in qualitative and semi-quantitative classifications based on a visual interpretation of sequential scintigraphic images. Various aspects of the radioactivity appearing in the region of the oral cavity after intravenous injection of /sup 99m/Tc-pertechnetate were investigated. The feasibility was shown of reducing the scintigraphic examination time from the usually recommended 60 minutes or longer to 30 minutes by administering a salivary stimulant at 10 instead of 20 minutes after pertechnetate injection, and by terminating the scintigraphic study 20 minutes after stimulation. The potentials and limitations of sialography, scintigraphy with /sup 99m/Tc-pertechnetate, ultrasound, CT and MRI are discussed and a rational approach to their use is recommended. 248 refs.; 37 figs.; 8 tabs. (Atomindex citation 20:026566)