Radioiodine therapy induced sialadenitis versus chronic idiopathic sialadenitis—Presentation and outcomes

Background This study explores the unique characters of high dose radioactive iodine (RAI) induced chronic sialadenitis. Methods A retrospective study of patients having received salivary endoscopy and followed in our outpatient clinic. Results A total of 100 patients met the inclusion criteria, 75 were diagnosed with chronic idiopathic sialoadenitis and 25 with radio‐iodine induced sialoadenitis (RIS). The main complaint in both groups was swelling of the parotid gland. Pain, dysphagia, and xerostomia were observed considerably more in the RIS group. During sialo‐endoscopy, fibrosis of the Stensen's duct was more common in the RIS group (p = 0.003). RIS patients group generally managed better with interventional endoscopic treatment alone (80% vs. 46%). Conclusion RIS patients have distinct clinical characteristics. There may be a collateral muscular damage to the masticatory muscles. Fibrosis and parenchymal damage are major findings during sialendoscopy. Sialendoscopy is a safe and efficient treatment for RAI induced sialadenitis.