Salivary Gland Function in Parkinson's Disease Using Sequential Salivary Scintigraphy

J Korean Neurol Assoc > Volume 24(1); 2006 > Article

Journal of the Korean Neurological Association 2006;24(1): 21-25.

파킨슨병에서 섬광조영술을 이용한 타액분비능

이규용, 김현영 고성호 이영주 김희태 김승현 김주한

한양대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실

Salivary Gland Function in Parkinson's Disease Using Sequential Salivary Scintigraphy

Kyu-Yong Lee

Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Hanyang University, Guri, Korea

Abstract

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) often presents with various types of autonomic dysfunction. Sialorrhea is frequently reported in patients with idiopathic PD. The present study was performed to compare the salivary function and severity of idiopathic PD between a patients with PD group and an age-matched control group, using salivary scintigraphy.
Methods: Twenty patients with idiopathic PD and fourteen age-matched controls were studied. Each subject received 7 mCi of 99mTc sodium pertechnetate intravenously. Sequential salivary scintigraphy was taken for 50 minutes. For the analysis of glandular function, we measured the uptake index (UI). The UI is the ratio between the glandular uptake value and the value for the background region of the skull. We compared the maximal UI in the patients with PD group and the age-matched control group.
Results: In the patients with PD group, the mean UI was 4.84±2.65 in the submandibular gland and 3.21±1.36 in the parotid gland. In the age-matched control group, the mean UI was 6.98±3.91 in the submandibular gland and 4.73±2.72 in the parotid gland. The mean UI is significantly decreased in the PD group compared to the age-matched control group (p<0.01). However, there was no statistical difference between the maximal UI and severity of PD (Hoehn-Yahr scale).
Conclusions: Salivary function was decreased in patients with PD. It is suggested that sialorrhea is not due to the excessive production of saliva, but could be explained by swallowing difficulties.