Imaging Sci Dent.  2013 Mar;43(1):17-23. 10.5624/isd.2013.43.1.17.

Assessment of the role of cone beam computed sialography in diagnosing salivary gland lesions

• Abdel-Wahed N
• Amer ME
• Abo-Taleb

• KMID: 2167442
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5624/isd.2013.43.1.17

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to assess cone-beam computed (CBCT) sialography imaging in the detection of different changes associated with lesions of salivary glands.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study consisted of 8 cases with signs and symptoms from salivary gland lesions. Conventional sialography using digital panoramic and lateral oblique radiographs and CBCT sialography were performed for each subject. The radiographs were evaluated by 3 radiologists independently of each other. The results were compared between conventional sialography and CBCT sialography in the evaluation of various lesions associated with the salivary glands.
RESULTS
There was an agreement between the radiologists in interpreting the lesions that affected salivary glands with both techniques. The detection of the presence of stones or filling defects, stenosis, ductal evagination, dilatation, and space occupying lesions was 83% for conventional sialography compared with CBCT sialography. CBCT sialography was superior to conventional sialography in revealing stones, stenosis, and strictures, especially in the second and third order branches.
CONCLUSION
It would be advisable to perform CBCT sialography in cases of obstructive salivary gland diseases for better demonstration of the ductal system of the gland.

Keyword

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; Salivary Glands; Sialography

MeSH Terms

Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Constriction, Pathologic
Dilatation
Salivary Gland Diseases
Salivary Glands
Sialography

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Panoramic (A), 3D reconstruction (B), sagittal (C), and coronal (D) images of CBCT with large and small stones in the submandibular gland (arrows).

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  Fig. 2 A. Panoramic sialogram shows stenosis of the right Stensen's duct. B. CBCT sialography axial cut of the same patient and the relevant 3D reconstruction show stenosis with areas of strictures through the glandular ductules (arrows).

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  Fig. 3 Coronal (A), sagittal (B), axial (C), and 3D reconstruction (D) images show multiple stenoses in Stensen's duct (arrow).

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  Fig. 4 Axial cut (A) and coronal cut (B) of CBCT sialography show stenosis of the ductules with punctuated appearance of the gland (arrow).

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  Fig. 5 Axial (A), coronal (B), panoramic (C), and 3D reconstruction (D) images of CBCT sialography in a case of lymphoepithelial lesion show unspecific accumulation of contrast medium.

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