Salivary Glands New Approaches In Diagnostics And Treatment

Saliva is a complex fluid that maintains oral health and has many physiological functions. It is a noninvasive diagnostic fluid as well. Lately, salivary diagnostics has proven its potential to reach clinical practice in the near future for the early detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of various diseases. Salivary Glands - New Approaches in Diagnostics and Treatment is a comprehensive reference, which brings together information on salivary secretion and its disorders, the novel salivary diagnostic methods for numerous diseases, and new techniques in the treatment of salivary diseases. This book contains information for a diverse audience, including dentists, oral biologists, experimental biologists, molecular biologists, oncologists, radiologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and otorhinolaryngologists.

Saliva is a complex fluid that maintains oral health and has many physiological functions. It is a noninvasive diagnostic fluid as well. Lately, salivary diagnostics has proven its potential to reach clinical practice in the near future for the early detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of various diseases. Salivary Glands - New Approaches in Diagnostics and Treatment is a comprehensive reference, which brings together information on salivary secretion and its disorders, the novel salivary diagnostic methods for numerous diseases, and new techniques in the treatment of salivary diseases. This book contains information for a diverse audience, including dentists, oral biologists, experimental biologists, molecular biologists, oncologists, radiologists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, and otorhinolaryngologists.

Salivary Diagnostics surveys one of the most exciting areas of research in oral biology. Regarded as the mirror of the body, saliva has immense potential to yield real clinical improvements in our ability to diagnose, and hence treat, oral and systemic conditions. The composition of saliva and other oral fluids reflects the tissue fluid levels of therapeutic, hormonal, and immunological molecules, as well as the presence of markers for systemic and oral disease.

Historically, disorders of salivary glands tend to be 'underdiagnosed and overtreated'. In the vast body of literature on this subject, emphasis has usually been put on therapeutic modalities of various diseases of the salivary glands. Whereas therapy and pathology have been treated in numerous thorough studies, the (patho )physiology of the salivary glands has remained rather poorly understood. Even less attention has been given to the diagnostic methods. Until a few decades ago, diagnosis consisted mainly of a clinical examin ation which included the patient's history, inspection, and palpation. These methods remain crucial, but a variety of new diagnostic tools have appeared since then. Their clinical value is still subject to controversy; each method has its advocates and opponents. The indications for enrolling a patient at a given point in a series of diagnostic procedures are interpreted differently. One of the most striking examples is the use of sialography. This has become a classic diagnostic procedure. Although sialography is still a useful method, it has considerable disadvantages, limitations, and even contraindications. In the major teaching hospitals, residents still tend to consider sialography as a panacea for the majority of their diagnostic problems, whereas the infor mation provided is actually rather restricted. Other modern methods such as CT and MRI have taken over the role of sialography to a certain extent. This also applies to ultrasonography and scintigraphy. Moreover, microbiol ogy, sialometry, sialochemistry, cytology, and histopathology may give super ior information in certain cases.

Reports on recent advances in detecting drugs, hormones, antibodies, and other molecules of diagnostic importance; research has been going on in such fields as dentistry, clinical chemistry, and steroid hormones, but the researchers have not been talking to each across the disciplinary back fence. A

Health professionals are more and more aware of the importance of saliva for oral health and well-being. As saliva secretion is steadily compromised with advancing age, it becomes a factor of concern in societies with an aging population, especially with a growing number of people who keep their own teeth. The numerous functions of saliva, like antimicrobial activity, lubrication, wound healing and its role in taste experience are only truly recognized when saliva secretion is hampered. In medical diagnostics, saliva shows its value as a safe and economical alternative to blood. This publication provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in salivary research by some of the world’s leading experts in the field. Chapters deal with various aspects: anatomy and physiology, e.g. regeneration of salivary glands, saliva functions, e.g. its protective and rheological properties, and diagnostics and disorders, e.g. xerostomia and hypersalivation. This book is not only recommended to basic scientists working in the field of oral biology, but also to dental students, dentists and health professionals who want to know more about one of the most underestimated bodily fluids.

This book reviews the progress made in salivary diagnostics during the past two decades and identifies the likely direction of future endeavors. After an introductory section describing the histological and anatomical features of the salivary glands and salivary function, salivary collection devices and diagnostic platforms are reviewed. The field of “salivaomics” is then considered in detail, covering, for example, proteomics, the peptidome, DNA and RNA analysis, biomarkers, and methods for biomarker discovery. Salivary diagnostics for oral and systemic diseases are thoroughly discussed, and the role of salivary gland tissue engineering for future diagnostics is explored. The book closes by considering legal issues and barriers to salivary diagnostic development. Advances in Salivary Diagnostics will be an informative and stimulating reference for both practitioners and students.

Salivary glands are unique because of the manifold subtypes of benign and malignant diseases found there. Written by world-renowned experts, Salivary Gland Disorders and Diseases: Diagnosis and Management fills a major gap in the literature by presenting modern and up-to-date knowledge on all aspects of this important field. From new findings at the molecular level, to diagnostic advances in cytopathology, histopathology, biochemistry, and imaging studies, to technical innovations and surgical and medical management, the book covers every diagnostic and therapeutic development and innovation. Its clear, concise, and heavily illustrated approach makes it ideal for use by both beginners and more experienced surgeons and physicians. Features: Covers the full spectrum of infectious, inflammatory, acute, chronic, benign, and malignant disorders and diseases of the salivary glands Offers a wealth of expert tips, tricks, pitfalls, and recommendations for effective diagnostic, surgical, and medical management Highlights all topics with hundreds of full-color images, diagrams, and superbly detailed surgical illustrations As the comprehensive reference in the field, this book is essential for head and neck surgeons, otorhinolaryngologists, maxillofacial surgeons, dentists, oral pathologists, plastic surgeons, and any other clinicians involved in daily clinical management of patients with salivary gland disorders and diseases.