There have been many instruments devised for doing sialograms of both the parotid and submaxillary glands. In attempts to find a suitable catheter, blunt needles, needles with beads welded on, fine polyethylene tubing, and other devices have been recommended. Most of these are either awkward to use or not readily available.
The following is a simple, convenient method of producing a catheter for either Stensen's or Wharton's duct which is easy to insert and which provides a good seal of the duct orifice. To make this, a piece of polyethylene tubing size 190 or 160 is grasped in both hands and given a quick pull. This causes the polyethylene to stretch the taper. Polyethylene in this manner stretches much like heated glass tubing, forming a taper. The tubing is then cut with a bevel at the narrow portion of the taper. A needle may then be inserted into the lumen