QUANTIFICATION OF PAROTID GLAND UPTAKE OF PERTECHNETATE USING A GAMMA SCINTILLATION CAMERA AND A "REGION-OF-INTEREST" SYSTEM

Abstract

The uptake of pertechnetate by the parotid glands was quantitated in 16 patients using a gamma camera with "region-of-interest" capabilities. The results correlated well with the subjective qualitative system previously used to categorize the studies. Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome had the lowest recorded uptakes in the series. The rate of pertechnetate accumulation, as opposed to the absolute level of concentration, was not a useful parameter of gland function. A 1 hour salivary gland uptake determination reliably separated normal patients from those with documented salivary gland diseases and appears to be a feasible diagnostic procedure.