Post-radiation lesions of the salivary glands after radioiodine therapy: features of the clinical course

Abstract

To date, thyroid diseases are one of the most common pathologies of the endocrine system and are an urgent medical and social problem. In order to treat and diagnose differentiated thyroid cancer, thyrotoxic goiter, and diffuse toxic goiter, radioiodine therapy is used in combination with other methods (surgery, hormone therapy). Lesions of the salivary glands that occur after radiotherapy are associated with the ability of large salivary glands to concentrate iodine in ductal cells. The accumulation of radioactive iodine I131 has an adverse radiation effect on the salivary glands, which leads to damage to the tissues of the glands of varying degrees of intensity.Background. Despite the large number of publications devoted to this problem, the clinical and laboratory characteristics of radioiodosialadenitis remain incomplete and often contradictory. In this regard, the study of this topic does not lose its relevance.Materials and methods. As a result of the examination of 45 patients after radiooderpia, with a clinical-radiological examination, a group of patients (n = 12), with a lack of a secret during visual examination and contrast of one or more salivary glands, is probably associated with irreversible changes in the salivary glands, was identified and described in this article.Results. Different combinations of damage to one or more salivary glands have been identified, reducing the level of quality of life of patients in this group of patients. When examining the salivary glands and conducting differential diagnostics, various combinations of examination methods must be used.Conclusions. The side effect of the effects of radioid therapy on the salivary glands is characterized by a wide spectrum of the involvement of the salivary glands up to a decrease in the functional activity and atrophy of the salivary glands, however, adverse consequences are not always dose-dependent. The results of the methods obtained do not exclude, but complement each other, which allows you to fully evaluate structural and functional changes in salivary glands. The negative effects of radionuclide therapy on the salivary glands affects the quality of life of patients.