eMedicine Specialties > Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery > Reconstructive Surgery

Drooling: Workup

Author: Neeraj N Mathur, MBBS, MS, Professor, Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Smt SK and Kalawati, Saran Children's Hospital, University of Delhi, India; Professor and Head, Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Nov 12, 2008

Workup

Laboratory Studies

  • Salivary flow rate (mL/min): increase in weight of dental rolls/time of collection The absorbent dental rolls can be kept directly at the orifices of large salivary glands
  • Drooling Quotient : 40 observations in 10 minutes (every 15 minutes) DQ% = 100 x number of drooling episodes/40
  • Teacher Drooling Scale: 1-5 1= no drooling3= occasional drooling5= constantly wet saliva leaking on clothes and furniture

Imaging Studies

  • Lateral neck film: Adenoid hypertrophy can be confirmed if the patient has a history of nasal obstruction. Complete the adenoidectomy prior to further surgical intervention to neutralize the effects of mouth breathing on drooling.
  • Modified barium swallow: Some authors recommend performing this study to help rule out the contraindications to surgical therapy, including esophageal motility disorders, esophageal spasm, or aspiration.
  • Radiosialography: For some authors and for research purposes, these scans using radioisotope are useful for evaluating the secretory function of the salivary gland when assessing the success of surgical therapy.

Other Tests

  • Audiogram: Perform this study on patients being considered for tympanic neurectomy or chorda tympani nerve section because unilateral hearing impairment is a contraindication because of the risk of hearing loss associated with the procedures.
  • Flexible nasopharyngoscopy: This is an alternative method to assess the amount of adenoid tissue if the patient has history findings suggestive of nasal obstruction.

More on Drooling

Overview: Drooling
Workup: Drooling
Treatment: Drooling
Multimedia: Drooling
References
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References

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Further Reading

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Keywords

drooling, sialorrhea, sialorrhoea, ptyalism, cerebral palsy, cognitive impairment, neurological impairment, neurologic impairment, perioral skin breakdown, perioral skin infection, severe mental retardation, hypersecretion of the salivary glands, salivary gland hypersecretion, dysfunctional voluntary oral motor activity, secretory control of the salivary glands

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Neeraj N Mathur, MBBS, MS, Professor, Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Smt SK and Kalawati, Saran Children's Hospital, University of Delhi, India; Professor and Head, Department of Ear, Nose and Throat, BP Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal
Neeraj N Mathur, MBBS, MS is a member of the following medical societies: Association of Otolaryngologists of India, Cochlear Implant Group of India, Indian Medical Association, National Academy of Medical Sciences, India, Neuro-Otologic and Equlibriometric Society of India, and Royal Society of Medicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Jennifer P Porter, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Division of Communicative Science, Chevy Chase Facial Plastic Surgery
Jennifer P Porter, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Managing Editor

Karen Hall Calhoun, MD, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Ohio State University
Karen Hall Calhoun, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, American College of Surgeons, American Head and Neck Society, American Medical Association, American Rhinologic Society, Association for Research in Otolaryngology, Society of University Otolaryngologists-Head and Neck Surgeons, Southern Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, and Texas Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

CME Editor

Christopher L Slack, MD, Otolaryngology-Facial Plastic Surgery, Private Practice, Associated Coastal ENT; Medical Director, Treasure Coast Sleep Disorders
Christopher L Slack, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA, Professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and American Head and Neck Society
Disclosure: Covidien Corp Consulting fee Consulting; US Tobacco Corporation unstricted gift unknown; Axis Three Corporation Ownership interest Consulting; Omni Biosciences Ownership interest Consulting; Sentegra Ownership interest Board membership; Syndicom Ownership interest Consulting; Oxlo  Consulting; Medvoy Ownership interest Management position

 
 
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