Studies On Quantitative Analysis Of Salivary Gland Using Computed Tomography

Lee, Sang Chul; Lee, Sam Sun; Heo, Min Suk; Choi, Soon Chul; Park, Tae Won; You, Dong Soo

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to calculate the size and CT number of both normal parotid and submandibular gland, and evaluate its relation to sex, age and obesity using computed tomography.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The computed tomography was performed parallel to the Frankfurt plane in 46 subjects with healthy salivary gland. The subjects were divided into the three groups(young, middle, old) according to their ages. The size of salivary gland was determined as maximum cross-sectional area and the CT number of salivary gland was determined as the mean CT number of three ROI's. The body mass index was calculated from weight and height.
RESULTS
The mean maximum cross-sectional area was 7.79(+/-1.26) cm2 on parotid gland and 4.12(+/-0.83) cm2 on submandibular gland. The mean CT number was -4.43(+/-23.87) HU on parotid gland and 50.01(+/-15.63) HU on submandibular gland. There were decreasing pattern of the maximum cross-sectional area of submandibular gland and the CT number of both parotid and submandibular gland according to age(p<0.05). As the body mass index increased, the maximum cross-sectional area of parotid gland increased and CT number of both parotid and submandibular gland decreased(p<0.05). The maximum cross-sectional area of submandibular gland in male was larger than that in female(p<0.05). As the maximum cross-sectional area and CT number of left salivary gland increased, those of right gland increased(p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Intra-individual differences in salivary gland size and CT number is considered in the age and individual obesity.