Abstract
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of radionuclide salivagram in children with pulmonary aspiration. Methods From March 2012 to June 2015, a total of 62 patients (37 males, 25 females; age range: 2 d-14 years) with suspected pediatric aspiration pneumonia were enrolled in this retrospective study. All patients underwent gastroesophageal reflux (GER) imaging and(or) radionuclide salivagram. Detection rate of pulmonary aspiration by the two imaging techniques was compared with χ2 test. Results Of 62 patients, 14 were diagnosed as pulmonary aspiration, including 1 detected by GER imaging, and 13 detected by salivagram. The detection rate for pulmonary aspiration by radionuclide salivagram (26.0%, 13/50) was significantly higher than that by GER imaging (3.1%, 1/32; χ2=7.211, P<0.05). Eight of the 13 cases with pulmonary aspiration diagnosed by radionuclide salivagram underwent upper gastrointestinal radiography, and 5 cases had visible contrast agent in the airway. Conclusion Radionuclide salivagram has a higher detection rate for pulmonary aspiration compared to GER imaging, and has good concordance with the traditional upper gastrointestinal radiography. Key words: Pneumonia, aspiration; Child; Radionuclide imaging; Saliva; Technetium; Sulfur colloid
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