Drooling (Sialorrhea) Workup

Updated: Mar 23, 2022
  • Author: Neeraj N Mathur, MBBS, MS, DNB, MAMS, FAMS; Chief Editor: Arlen D Meyers, MD, MBA  more...
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Workup

Laboratory Studies

See the list below:

  • 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 drooling

    • 3= occasional drooling

    • 5= constantly wet saliva leaking on clothes and furniture

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Imaging Studies

See the list below:

  • 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, and 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.

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Other Tests

See the list below:

  • Audiogram: Perform this study on patients being considered for tympanic neurectomy or chorda tympani nerve section, because unilateral hearing impairment is a contraindication (owing to the risk of hearing loss associated with the procedures).

  • Flexible nasopharyngoscopy: This is an alternative method of assessing the amount of adenoid tissue if the patient has history findings suggestive of nasal obstruction.

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