To systematically review and analyze the medical literature to assess ultrasonography echotexture changes in thyroid cancer patients for the detection of chronic sialadenitis caused by radioiodine therapy.

Methods:

Sources were retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE and LILACS through November 2018. All studies that assessed ultrasonographic features before 131I administration and at 12 months after 131I administration were selected. After data extraction, statistical analysis was performed by using Stata software.

Results:

From a total of 435 studies, 4 studies involving 665 patients were considered eligible, and echotexture heterogeneity was found with a significant difference.

Conclusions:

Ultrasound echotexture may detect chronic sialadenitis secondary to salivary radioiodine therapy.