Parotid or salivary gland scanning is a nuclear study performed to assist in diagnosing abnormalities of secretory function and duct patency of either or both glands. The radionuclide 99mTc as technetium Tc 99m pertechnetate is administered IV, and immediate imaging of blood flow, uptake, and secreting capability is performed. This study is not made, however, to provide a definitive diagnosis before surgery.¹⁸

• Normal size, shape, and position of the glands; no masses or duct obstruction

• Inability of client to remain still during the procedure

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Indications

• Determining the cause of pain and swelling in the gland area
• Detecting tumors of the parotid or salivary glands, such as oncocytoma, Warthin's tumor, or mucoepidermoid tumor, revealed by a "hot" nodule surrounded by radionuclide uptake
• Detecting tumors, cysts, or abscesses and differentiating between them and malignant tumors revealed by smooth or ragged outlines of the respective masses
• Determining duct obstruction commonly seen in sialadenitis or Sjögren's syndrome revealed by decreased uptake of the radionuclide
• Diagnosing acute parotitis and other inflammatory processes of the glands revealed by an increased uptake of the radionuclide¹⁹

Contraindications

• Pregnancy, unless the benefits of performing the procedure greatly outweigh the risks to the fetus

[Section Outline]

• Indications
• Contraindications

Nursing Care Before the Procedure

Client teaching and physical preparation are the same as for any nuclear scan study (see section under "Brain Scanning").

• No medications are administered before the study.
• Teaching should include informing the client that the time to complete the study is usually 1 hour and that the scanner is positioned over the neck.
• Obtain a history of glandular disorders.

The client is placed in a sitting position and the radiopharmaceutical is administered IV. The client is reminded to remain very still during the scanning. Immediate scanning is performed for 30 minutes in anterior, posterior, and oblique views for blood-flow and uptake studies. If information about secretory function of the glands is desired, the client is requested to suck on a lemon about three-fourths of the way through the study to increase gland secretion and cause the gland to empty.

Nursing Care After the Procedure

Care and assessment after the procedure are the same as for any nuclear scan study (see section under "Brain Scanning").