Can chatbots enhance the management of pediatric sialadenitis in clinical practice?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess how well ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot, performed in helping to manage pediatric sialadenitis and identify when sialendoscopy was necessary. METHODS: 49 clinical cases of pediatric sialadenitis were retrospectively reviewed. ChatGPT was given patient data, and it offered differential diagnoses, proposed further tests, and suggested treatments. The decisions made by the treating otolaryngologists were contrasted with the answers provided by ChatGPT. Analysis was done on ChatGPT response consistency and interrater reliability. RESULTS: ChatGPT showed 78.57% accuracy in primary diagnosis, and 17.35% of cases were considered likely. On the other hand, otolaryngologists recommended fewer further examinations than ChatGPT (111 vs. 60, p < 0.001). For additional exams, poor agreement was found between ChatGPT and otolaryngologists. Only 28.57% of cases received a pertinent and essential treatment plan via ChatGPT, indicating that the platform's treatment recommendations were frequently lacking. For treatment ratings, judges' interrater reliability was greatest (Kendall's tau = 0.824, p < 0.001). For the most part, ChatGPT's response constancy was high. CONCLUSIONS: Although ChatGPT has the potential to correctly diagnose pediatric sialadenitis, there are a number of noteworthy limitations with regard to its ability to suggest further testing and treatment regimens. Before widespread clinical use, more research and confirmation are required. To guarantee that chatbots are utilized properly and effectively to supplement human expertise rather than to replace it, a critical viewpoint is required.

A Rare Case of Parotid Stone Adherence to the Facial Nerve.

This case report details a complex case of parotid gland sialolithiasis with stones adherent to the facial nerve, a scenario that presents a significant surgical challenge. Traditional sialendoscopy failed to address the condition in a 23-year-old female patient, leading to the adoption of a combined endoscopic transcutaneous approach. This method successfully resolved the condition without intraoperative complications, maintaining intact facial nerve function postoperatively. The case emphasizes the importance of individualized surgical strategy and expert technique in advanced parotid surgery, advocating this approach for similarly complex sialolithiasis cases.

Lymphoma presenting as preauricular tumor in unilateral parotid gland agenesis: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Parotid gland agenesis is a rare, congenital, usually asymptomatic disorder. Until now, only 24 cases with unilateral, incidentally found, parotid gland agenesis have been described. Here, we present the first reported case of an ipsilateral preauricular neoplasm in a patient with unilateral parotid gland agenesis. During surgery, the position of the greater auricular- and facial nerves was documented. Furthermore, we performed the first sialendoscopy for this rare disorder to assess the number of duct branches, which might be indicative of the abundance of parotid tissue. Moreover, we looked for sialendoscopic characteristic features that could aid in identifying these patients in the ambulatory setting. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old Greek man presented with a painless, slowly enlarging mass in the right parotid space. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a complete absence of the right parotid gland without accessory parotid tissue. The right parotid gland was replaced by fatty tissue and the radiologist suggested a benign parotid tumor. Fine needle aspiration was indicative of a reactive lymph node. Sialendoscopy revealed only two branches within the right parotid duct. Surgical resection was performed through a conventional lateral parotidectomy. This revealed typical anatomic position of the greater auricular- and facial nerves despite the parotid tissue agenesis. Histopathology revealed a small lymphocytic lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should feel confident to resect tumors of the parotid space in patients with parotid gland agenesis. Reduced branching observed during sialendoscopy might indicate parotid gland agenesis. Physicians should be even more cautious than usual with the watch and wait strategy in patients with tumors of parotid gland agenesis, since the probability of a tumor being a benign salivary gland tumor might be lower than usual.

Ultrasound and Sialendoscopy Findings in Radioactive Iodine-Induced Sialadenitis: Comparative Analysis and Possible Impact on Management.

BACKGROUND: To assess the correlation/association between ultrasound and sialendoscopy findings in radioactive iodine therapy-induced sialadenitis (RAIS). METHODS: Patients presenting with RAIS were investigated with ultrasound and sialendoscopy. Four pathologic ultrasound parameters and seven pathologic sialendoscopy parameters were retrospectively assessed. Correlations/associations between ultrasound and sialendoscopy findings and associations between the changes between the first and last ultrasound and sialendoscopy findings were assessed separately for the parotid (PG) and submandibular glands (SMG). RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients were included. In the first examination, 107 glands were investigated (PGs 88.8%, SMGs 11.21%), and in the last examination, 64 glands were investigated (90.6% PGs, 9.4% SMGs). Highly significant positive associations were observed between the severity or category of ultrasound and sialendoscopy findings for first and last examinations for PGs (both p = 0.0001) and SMGs (p = 0.002; p = 0.037). Duct dilation had a significant negative association with the sialendoscopy findings for PGs in the first and last examinations (both p = 0.0001), but not for SMGs. Comparison of changes in the ultrasound and sialendoscopy findings between the first and last examinations showed a significant positive association for PGs (p = 0.0001) but not for SMGs. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound and sialendoscopy findings for the parenchyma and duct system in RAIS showed significant associations/correlations and can be useful for effective management in RAIS.

Exploring the potential of Chat-GPT as a supportive tool for sialendoscopy clinical decision making and patient information support.

INTRODUCTION: Sialendoscopy has emerged in the last decades as a groundbreaking technique, offering a minimally invasive approach for exploring and managing salivary gland disorders. More recently, the advent of chatbots, powered by advanced natural processing language and artificial intelligence algorithms, has revolutionized the way healthcare professionals and patients access and analyze medical information and potentially will support soon the clinical decision-making process. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional study was designed to assess the level of agreement between Chat-GPT and 10 expert sialendoscopists aiming the capabilities of Chat-GPT to further improve the management of salivary gland disorders. RESULTS: The mean level of agreement was 3.4 (SD: 0.69; Min: 2, Max: 4) for Chat-GPT's answers while it was 4.1 (SD: 0.56; Min: 3, Max: 5) for the group of EESS (p < 0.015). The overall Wilcoxon signed-rank test yielded a significance level of p < 0.026 when comparing the level of agreement between Chat-GPT and EESS. The mean number of therapeutic alternatives suggested by Chat-GPT was 3.33 (SD: 1.2; Min: 2, Max: 5), while it was 2.6 (SD: 0.51; Min: 2, Max: 3) for the group of EESS; p = 0.286 (95% CI - 0.385 to 1.320). CONCLUSION: Chat-GPT represents a promising tool in the clinical decision-making process within the salivary gland clinic, particularly for patients who are candidates for sialendoscopy treatment. Additionally, it serves as a valuable source of information for patients. However, further development is necessary to enhance the reliability of these tools and ensure their safety and optimal use in the clinical setting.

Suture Stenting After Sialendoscopy: A Novel Technique That Reduces Risk of Recurrent Parotitis.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic sialadenitis is associated with decreased quality of life and recurrent infections. While sialendoscopy with stenting is effective in relieving symptoms of sialadenitis, currently available stents are rigid and poorly tolerated by patients, leading to early removal and potential for adverse scarring. This study examines whether sutures can be used as a stenting material to improve patient comfort and reduce recurrence risk. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of a consecutive series of adult patients with chronic sialadenitis undergoing sialendoscopy with or without suture stenting. Data were collected between 2014 and 2018 with a 3-year follow-up period ending in 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence of sialadenitis within 3 years of surgery. Secondary outcomes were stent dislodgement and patient-reported discomfort. RESULTS: We included 63 patients with parotid sialadenitis of whom 28 underwent suture stenting and 35 did not receive stenting after sialendoscopy. Stents were well tolerated, with a mean duration of 34.5 days, and only 2 of 28 stents (7.1%) accidentally dislodged within the first week. Suture stenting significantly reduced symptom recurrence after sialendoscopy (OR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.02-0.45, p = 0.003; 3-year sialadenitis recurrence rate: 7.1% vs. 45.7%, p = 0.005). Cox multivariate regression for clinicodemographic variables showed an HR of 0.04 (95% CI 0.01-0.19, p < 0.001) for the risk of symptom recurrence. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Suture stenting after sialendoscopy is low cost, available across all institutions, well-tolerated by patients, and highly efficacious in reducing risk of recurrent sialadenitis after sialendoscopy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:614-621, 2024.

Sialendoscopy Findings Associated with Positive Minor Salivary Gland Biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the sialendoscopy findings associated with positive findings on minor salivary gland biopsy. STUDY DESIGN: Single-center retrospective study. METHODS: Patients ≥18 years old who underwent sialendoscopy from 2016 to 2022 and were evaluated for SS via labial minor salivary gland biopsy. Biopsy positive and negative patients were compared on the primary outcome measure of sialendoscopy findings. Data were abstracted from the sialendoscopy operative notes and included involved gland, location of ductal pathology, and the presence of scarring, stenosis, mucus plugs, webs, and dilations. Additional characteristics included demographics, presenting symptoms, caffeine or tobacco, use of drying medications, and need for additional treatments. RESULTS: The final cohorts included 22 biopsy positive and 21 biopsy negative patients with a total of 42 glands in the biopsy positive and 37 glands in the biopsy negative groups. Biopsy positive patients were found to require dilation at the hilum and distal duct at significantly higher rates than biopsy negative patients (p < 0.0001). However, there was no statistical difference in scarring, stenosis severity, mucus, webs, or dilations between each group. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of this study suggest that there are no distinct sialendoscopy findings associated with biopsy positive patients. The presence of significant distal stenosis on sialendoscopy may be associated with positive minor salivary biopsy. Other endoscopic parameters are likely more consistent with non-specific chronic sialadenitis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 134:1183-1189, 2024.

Introducing Sialendoscopy in a Veteran Population: Effect on Benign Salivary Disease Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To compare rates of sialadenectomy in a veteran population before and after introduction of sialendoscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All Veterans Affair (VA) Northern California Healthcare System (NCHS) encounters from 2006 to 2021 for benign obstructive salivary etiologies were identified using International Classification of Disease 9/10 codes. This cohort was then cross referenced with Current Procedural Terminology codes to identify patients who underwent a procedure for their salivary pathologies. The rates of sialadenectomy and minimally invasive procedures were measured before and after sialendoscopy was introduced to the VA NCHCS in 2016. Data was obtained via chart review and demographic information, diagnosis, and procedure type were extracted. Rates of sialadenectomy, minimally invasive procedures, and other patient and procedural characteristics were compared between the Pre-Sialendoscopy Era (PSE) and Sialendoscopy Era (SE). Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel (Microsoft, version 16.66). RESULTS: An increasing number of patients per year sought care for benign obstructive salivary pathology in the SE when compared to the PSE cohort and a higher rate of female patients were treated in the SE cohort. A simultaneous reduction in sialadenectomy rates and increase in minimally invasive procedure rates was observed in the SE. Sialendoscopy represented most of the increase in minimally invasive techniques, but there was a slight increase in other procedure types. Submandibular gland obstructive pathologies required the most procedures and resulted in the most gland excisions. CONCLUSION: This retrospective review strongly suggests introducing sialendoscopy reduced the incidence of sialadenectomy for benign non-tumor obstructive pathology in this VA NCHS population. Further prospective studies are needed to evaluate this in a more generalized setting.

Juvenile Recurrent Parotitis: Video-Documented Sialendoscopy.

Juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP) is characterised by recurrent episodes of painful parotid swelling in children. JRP is the second most common cause of parotitis in childhood, behind only paramyxovirus. The prevention of recurrent attacks represents the most dramatic and serious aspect of this pathology. Since 2004, different authors have evaluated sialendoscopy for the diagnostic and therapeutic management of JRP. In this paper, we share our clinical experience of the use of sialendoscopy for the treatment of JRP. We document with video sialendoscopy the glandular pathology in four children with a mean age of 11.5 years, who had suffered from 3-6 episodes/year of inflammation prior to treatment. The use of sialendoscopy in our patients was effective in preventing recurrences. For the first time, the videosialendoscopy of a series of children diagnosed with JRP is documented in the literature.

Sialendoscopy for treatment of major salivary glands diseases: a comprehensive analysis of published systematic reviews and meta-analyses

Abstract Objectives: Sialendoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat obstructive salivary gland diseases. Previous studies in the topic have shown mixed results. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sialendoscopy through previous systematic reviews for different outcomes of several diseases. We also aimed to assess studies' methodological quality and heterogeneity. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive systematic literature search of Pubmed, Embase, Lilacs and Cochrane Library. We included systematic reviews and meta-analyses that used sialendoscopy to treat both lithiasic and alithiasic salivary glands diseases. Data extraction included studies' characteristics and results. We assessed studies' methodological quality using the AMSTAR-2 (A Measurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2) tool. Results: 13 studies were included in the review, being 9 in adult populations and 4 in pediatric populations. Sialendoscopy proved to be effective at the treatment of different lithiasic and other obstructive diseases, but with important heterogeneity. The technique was also considered highly safe in most studies. However, studies had a critically low quality of evidence. Conclusions: Most studies demonstrated high efficacy and safety of sialendoscopy, but with critically low quality of evidence. We still lack randomized studies in this field, and future systematic reviews on the topic should follow current guidelines to improve conduction and reporting.

First evaluation of an ovine training model for sialendoscopy.

Objective: Sialendoscopy is a minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic technique used in the treatment of various salivary gland diseases. To date, there are very few suitable training models other than the pig's head, which has been used at the European Sialendoscopy Training Center for 22 years. The goal of this study was to describe an ovine model for sialendoscopy training and compare the ovine model's to the human anatomy. We propose a step-by-step approach for sialendoscopy training using this ex-vivo model. Methods: The anatomy of the ovine salivary ducts and glands was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging using one fresh ovine head. Thereafter, the model was designed during dissection by an experienced sialendoscopist. The various steps were then validated during consecutive dissections using a Likert-scale questionnaire. Results: The full model was described in the form of a dissection guide and allowed reliable diagnostic sialendoscopy in 10/10 Stenson's and in 5/10 Wharton's ducts. Moreover, interventional sialendoscopy was simulated to provide a training model for the removal of sialoliths in the Stenson's duct. The human and ovine anatomy are quite similar allowing a training experience close to reality. Conclusion: We developed and evaluated an ovine model with the goal of improving training in diagnostic and interventional sialendoscopy. In particular, the Stenson's duct can be successfully prepared, probed and subjected to sialendoscopy. The realistic anatomical environment and excellent tissue quality created a life-like training experience for an experienced sialendoscopist. Further studies with beginners are necessary to validate this model as a training model. Level of Evidence: 4.

Sialendoscopy approach in treating juvenile recurrent parotitis: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Juvenile recurrent parotitis (JRP) is characterized by recurrent episodes of painful parotid swelling in children. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the diagnostic and therapeutic effectiveness of sialendoscopy in children affected by JRP. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and the Cochrane Library until April 2022, without language restrictions or specified start date. Quality assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). RESULTS: Our review included 524 patients and 646 sialendoscopies. The sample sizes of the different studies ranged from 3 to 77 subjects. Most authors performed sialendoscopy under general anesthesia. The mean percentage of recurrences observed was 25.1% (95% confidence intervals) (CI 23.6-26.6). There was a statistically significant relationship between the number of attacks/year and recurrences (p < 0.05). The percentage of recurrences according to the type of irrigation/flushing used ranged from 22.2% to 25.2%, with no significant differences between the use of corticosteroids alone (25.2% of recurrences), corticosteroids plus antibiotics (25% of recurrences) or saline alone (22.2% of recurrences). Sialoendoscopy has proved in all cases to be a valid method for the diagnosis of JRP, but it does not allow a reliable differential diagnosis with other autoimmune parotitis such as Sjögren's syndrome. CONCLUSION: According to our results, parotid sialoendoscopy was 74.9% effective as a primary treatment in the prevention of recurrent symptoms in JRP. The type of ductal irrigation used did not significantly influence the prognostic outcome.

Long-term efficacy of sialendoscopy in treating childhood Sjögren's disease with chronological monitoring by salivary gland ultrasonography: A novel approach.

BACKGROUND: Childhood Sjögren's Disease (cSjD) is an underdiagnosed phenomenon with clinical and pathophysiological nuances in contrast to Sjögren's Disease (SjD) in the adult population. While adults typically experience sicca symptoms, children with cSjD often present with recurrent parotitis, diverse autoantibody profiles, and renal and neurological manifestations. Diagnosis and classification in pediatric rheumatology remain controversial due to the reliance on adult-focused diagnostic criteria and the lack of standardized treatment and understanding of outcomes. The purpose of the paper is to propose a multimodal treatment plan and demonstrate the effectiveness of sialendoscopy in the management of cSjD. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a twelve-year-old female diagnosed with cSjD using the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) diagnostic criteria for SjD. In addition to medical management, she underwent sialendoscopy with triamcinolone irrigation under sedation and was monitored for progress via salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS). Over the course of one year, she demonstrated significant improvement in symptoms, with serial SGUS scores gradually decreasing by five points. CONCLUSIONS: This paper proposes a multimodal treatment plan involving sialendoscopy and medical management as a non-invasive and potentially more effective approach for cSjD. Standardized monitoring through SGUS scoring allows objective and quantifiable measurement of treatment progress, enabling better assessment of glandular tissue status. Recurrence is possible, and each cSjD patient may present differently. Nevertheless, our year-long observation of a patient with cSjD demonstrates that sialendoscopy, as seen in adults, can promote remission of recurrent parotitis in children as well.

Success rate of sialendoscopy. A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the efficacy and safety of sialendoscopy in the treatment of obstructive diseases of the major salivary glands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched four databases for literature. The primary outcome assessed was the success rate. Secondary outcomes included the use of supportive devices, number of sialadenectomies and complications. Risk of bias was assessed. Meta-analyses with subgroup analysis were performed. RESULTS: In total, 91 studies were included, comprising 8218 patients undergoing 9043 sialendoscopic procedures. The majority of studies had a medium or high risk of bias. The incidence of sialadenectomy varied from 0% to 14%. No major complications were reported. Meta-analysis revealed a weighted pooled success rate of 80.9%. Subgroup analyses showed the weighted pooled success rate in patients with sialoliths (89.6%), stenoses (56.3%), submandibular glands (88.3%), parotid glands (81.2%), patients treated by an endoscopic-assisted transoral removal of a sialolith (86.3%), patients treated by a combined approach of the parotid gland (78.2%), patients with JRP (67.0%) and with RAIS (45.8%). CONCLUSION: The success rate of sialendoscopy did not considerably change in the last 9 years. Sialendoscopy is an efficient and safe procedure for the treatment of major salivary gland obstructive disease.

Sialendoscopy for treatment of major salivary glands diseases: a comprehensive analysis of published systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

OBJECTIVES: Sialendoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat obstructive salivary gland diseases. Previous studies in the topic have shown mixed results. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sialendoscopy through previous systematic reviews for different outcomes of several diseases. We also aimed to assess studies' methodological quality and heterogeneity. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive systematic literature search of Pubmed, Embase, Lilacs and Cochrane Library. We included systematic reviews and meta-analyses that used sialendoscopy to treat both lithiasic and alithiasic salivary glands diseases. Data extraction included studies' characteristics and results. We assessed studies' methodological quality using the AMSTAR-2 (A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2) tool. RESULTS: 13 studies were included in the review, being 9 in adult populations and 4 in pediatric populations. Sialendoscopy proved to be effective at the treatment of different lithiasic and other obstructive diseases, but with important heterogeneity. The technique was also considered highly safe in most studies. However, studies had a critically low quality of evidence. CONCLUSIONS: Most studies demonstrated high efficacy and safety of sialendoscopy, but with critically low quality of evidence. We still lack randomized studies in this field, and future systematic reviews on the topic should follow current guidelines to improve conduction and reporting.

Outline of Salivary Gland Pathogenesis of Sjögren's Syndrome and Current Therapeutic Approaches.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the involvement of exocrine glands such as the salivary and lacrimal glands. The minor salivary glands, from which tissue samples may be obtained, are important for the diagnosis, evaluation of therapeutic efficacy, and genetic analyses of SS. In the onset of SS, autoantigens derived from the salivary glands are recognized by antigen-presenting dendritic cells, leading to the activation of T and B cells, cytokine production, autoantibody production by plasma cells, the formation of ectopic germinal centers, and the destruction of salivary gland epithelial cells. A recent therapeutic approach with immune checkpoint inhibitors for malignant tumors enhances the anti-tumor activity of cytotoxic effector T cells, but also induces SS-like autoimmune disease as an adverse event. In the treatment of xerostomia, muscarinic agonists and salivary gland duct cleansing procedure, as well as sialendoscopy, are expected to ameliorate symptoms. Clinical trials on biological therapy to attenuate the hyperresponsiveness of B cells in SS patients with systemic organ involvement have progressed. The efficacy of treatment with mesenchymal stem cells and chimeric antigen receptor T cells for SS has also been investigated. In this review, we will provide an overview of the pathogenesis of salivary gland lesions and recent trends in therapeutic approaches for SS.

Outcomes of the salivary-oral health impact profile (S-OHIP) for chronic salivary disorders.

PURPOSE: The Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) is a previously validated, concise, patient-friendly questionnaire used to determine the impact of oral diseases on patient quality of life. The present study seeks to examine the outcomes of a modified Salivary-OHIP (S-OHIP) survey in patients with chronic salivary disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort of 67 patients with chronic salivary disorders and a control group of 16 patients undergoing septoplasty were surveyed using the modified Salivary-OHIP (S-OHIP) before surgery and six weeks following operative intervention. Additional factors analyzed included age, gender, etiology of salivary disease, general quality of life using the EQ-5D-5L, and general salivary symptoms. RESULTS: There was no difference between treatment and control groups with respect to age or gender. There was a significant difference between the groups regarding change in S-OHIP scores before and after surgery (p < 0.01). Salivary patients had a significant decrease in S-OHIP scores indicating improved salivary quality of life (p < 0.01), with a mean decrease in score of 9.5. The control group showed no change in S-OHIP score (p = 0.47). CONCLUSION: The S-OHIP allows for a specific, targeted survey of salivary symptoms and is a useful, patient-friendly tool to quantify symptomatic changes in patients with chronic salivary disorders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Sialendoscopy in Pediatric Sialolithiasis: Two Cases of Salivary Stones in the Parotid Gland and Review of the Literature.

Sialolithiasis is one of the most common diseases of the salivary glands and the most common cause of chronic obstructive sialadenitis. Whereas salivary stones are responsible for most of the cases of obstructive sialadenitis in the adult population, sialolithiasis in children is considered relatively rare. We describe two cases of a 9 and a 4-year-old male respectively, with parotid sialolithiasis treated with sialendoscopy. A systematic review of the current literature was also completed in order to evaluate all described cases of parotid sialolithiasis in the pediatric population. We found 25 articles eligible for a total of 42 cases of pediatric parotid sialolithiasis. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-023-03508-8.