Interventional radiology in the removal of salivary calculi

PURPOSE: To prospectively investigate the efficacy of a wire basket extract or in the retrieval of salivary calculi and establish selection criteria fo r suitable cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients (14 male, 11 female ; age range, 13-69 years) with salivary calculi (20 submandibular, five par otid) were treated by using a commercially available wire basket extractor with intermittent fluoroscopic guidance. RESULTS: Elimination of calculi was accomplished in 10 (40%) cases. In an a dditional seven (28%) cases, either part of the calculus was removed or who le calculi were removed with others remaining. Failure to retrieve any ston e occurred in eight (32%) cases. The most common cause of failure was attac hment of the calculus to the duct wall. CONCLUSION: Interventional radiology provides a useful adjuvant method of c alculus removal and complements extracorporeal, lithotripsy. Basket retriev al of calculi has low morbidity and is rapid and less invasive than traditi onal surgery. It is most effective in retrieving mobile stones in the extra glandular parotid and submandibular ducts.