PURPOSE: Imaging of the salivary gland are varied and may include US, CT, MRI and sialogarphy. Recently with the introduction of Cone Beam CT (CBCT) into the oral maxillofacial imaging field, sialography has been combined with CBCT, creating Sialo-CBCT. Sialo-CBCT may be used both for obstructive and inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to describe the radiographic features of normal parotid glands using SialoCBCT.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sialo-CBCT scans made by the I-CAT (New Generation ) CBCT machine of patients referred due to suspected salivary gland pathologies were retrospectively reviewed. Scans output images were reviewed by three different observers who are familiar with Sialo-CBCT for more the 3 years. Observeres were asked to defined the scans as either normal or abnormal. Normal scans were further analyzed by two different observers using Ondemands DICOM viewer in order to define the ductal architecture of the normal salivary glands.
RESULTS: Fifty sialo-CBCT scans were retrospectively reviewed, of which 15 were defined normal by ore then 2 observers. Normal scans were further analyzed. Analysis included the diameter, the length and the morphology of the primary duct as well as the branching to both the secondary and the tertiary ducts. The first gland morphology was found to be narrowing toward the proximal side of the gland. Furthermore. It was found that there are more tertiary ducts then secondary ducts.
CONCLUSION: Parotid Sialo-CBCT scans may show normal gland morphology. This preliminary study characterizes the normal architecture of the parotid salivary gland regarding its primary duct and the ducts that are branching from it. Understanding the ductal architecture may help to characterize abnormal conditions, such as obstructive or inflammatory diseases in the parotid gland
