Role of Ultrasonography in Evaluation of the Salivary Glands: Normal anatomy and Pathology.

Kim,  Min Jung; Kim,  E K; Park,  S Y; Park,  J S; Chung,  W Y

Journal of Korean Society of Medical Ultrasound 2004;23(1): 31-39.

Min Jung Kim, E K Kim, S Y Park, J S Park, W Y Chung

¹Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea. ekkim@yumc.yonsei.ac.kr
²Department of General Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Korea.

Published online: March 1, 2004.

ABSTRACT

High-resolution ultrasonography (US) is a useful first-line tool in the evaluation of various diseases of the salivary or peri-salivary lesions. US does not only offer the useful imaging findings but also provide a guideline for needle aspiration. In addition, it can be helpful in deciding whether further studies such as CT or MRI are needed. Furthermore, US can also provide unique information that cannot be obtained on other imaging studies. Most of all, US can be a guide whether a detected lesion needs surgical treatment or not. In this paper, we will demonstrate the ultrasonographic anatomy and various pathologic entities of the salivary lesions and discuss the role of ultrasound in salivary assessment.

Keywords: Salivary glands; Salivary glands, US; Salivary glands, diseases; Salivary glands, neoplasms; Ultrasound (US)