Stensen's Duct Stenosis Balloon Dilatation: Long‐term Evaluation of Clinical Outcomes and Quality of Life Impacts

• Published in: Otolaryngology-head and neck surgery Vol. 168; no. 4; pp. 696 - 703
• Main Authors: de Boutray, Marie, Pons, Mélanie, Graillon, Nicolas, Chossegros, Cyrille, Reyre, Anthony, Chagnaud, Christophe, Varoquaux, Arthur
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-04-2023
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; balloon dilatation; Constriction, Pathologic - therapy; Humans; Middle Aged; Pain - etiology; Quality of Life; Retrospective Studies; salivary duct dilatation; Salivary Ducts - surgery; sialography; Stensen's duct stenosis; Stensen's stricture; Stensen's stricture; sialography; balloon dilatation; Stensen's duct stenosis; salivary duct dilatation
• ISSN: 0194-5998; 1097-6817
• DOI: 10.1177/01945998221097636

Objective
To conduct a long‐term retrospective evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of sialographic balloon dilatation in Stensen's duct stenosis (SDS).
Study Design
Retrospective cohort.
Setting
Single‐institution academic tertiary referral center.
Methods
All SDS balloon dilatations (SSBDs) performed from 2011 to 2017 were monitored. Pain relief was evaluated by a numeric rating scale at 3‐year follow‐up at least. Long‐term glandular swelling frequency patterns, quality of life (QoL), and drug consumption were retrospectively assessed. Procedure‐related complications were recorded.
Results
Twenty‐one SSBD procedures were recorded (mean ± SD age, 55 ± 12 years), all performed under local anesthesia. SSBD led to complete dilatation in 7 patients (33%), residual stenosis in 8 (38%), and no dilatation (failure) in 6 (29%). Retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes was possible for 17 patients, 71% of whom presented with long‐term pain relief, at a mean relief of 3.2 points on the numeric rating scale (P < .001). Long after SSBD, patients presented with a mean decrease of 15.4 glandular swellings per month (P < .001). Medical consumption was reduced to 18% of patients taking some drugs because of SDS after SSBD vs 71% before. SSBD showed an impact on QoL in >80% of patients, with mean improvements of 26% and 25% in the percentage point reduction of physical and mental QoL, respectively (P < .001). No complications were noted except temporary discomfort due to the procedure.
Conclusion
Despite the advent of sialendoscopy‐guided techniques, SSBD should be considered for SDS treatment, as it is a safe procedure and provides sustained pain relief.