Dissolution of Salivary Calculi with Chemolysis and Ultrasound

Abstract

Objectives:

(1) Investigate whether treatment with an ultrasound probe can reduce the weight of salivary calculi in vitro. (2) Determine the effect of ultrasound application on chemolysis of salivary gland stones with diluted acetic acid.

Methods:

Ten submandibular calculi (mean weight 159 ± 80.2 mg) were halved. After randomization these halves were each placed in a beaker containing saline solution (0.9%, pH5.3) or diluted acetic acid (0.6%, pH 2.78), respectively. An ultrasound probe (1-mm diameter, 30 kHz) was dipped into the solution with a tip-to-calculi distance of 5mm. Ultrasound was applied in a continuous mode for 3 hours. To determine the extent of dissolution, the calculi were weighed and photographed before and after the treatment.

Results:

The mean weight reduction of salivary calculi after ultrasound treatment was 2 ± 1.1 mg in isotonic saline solution and 19.1 ± 13.7 mg in diluted acetic acid, respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P < .005).

Conclusions:

A weight reduction of salivary calculi can be achieved by ultrasound application in vitro. Ultrasound treatment enhances the effect of chemolitholysis with diluted acetic acid. This could be helpful to diminish the size of salivary calculi within the scope of minimally invasive therapy of sialolithiasis.