Assessment of hyperbaric oxygenation treatment response in parotid glands by mapping following radiotherapy for head and neck tumours.

Background: The study was designed to evaluate the influence of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy (HBOT) on the parotid gland in patients following radiotherapy for head and neck tumours.

Patients And Methods: HBOT response was monitored by 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using mapping and subsequent measurement of mean and variability as well as by salivary tests (salivary flow, buffer capacity, and pH). Eighteen patients previously treated with irradiation doses between 50 and 80 Gy as well as 18 healthy gender and age matched controls were enrolled.