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Comparison of the sonographic features of acalculous and calculous submandibular sialadenitis
Author(s) -
Ching Alex SikChung,
Ahuja Anil T.,
King Ann D.,
Tse Gary ManKit,
Metreweli Constantine
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
journal of clinical ultrasound
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.272
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1097-0096
pISSN - 0091-2751
DOI - 10.1002/jcu.1044
Subject(s) - medicine , sialadenitis , submandibular gland , salivary gland diseases , echogenicity , duct (anatomy) , parenchyma , pathology , radiology , salivary gland , ultrasonography
Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the sonographic features of acalculous and calculous sialadenitis of the submandibular gland. Methods A retrospective review of sonograms of the neck was performed in 25 patients with submandibular sialadenitis: 8 with acalculous and 17 with calculous disease. The submandibular glands were assessed for size, shape, border, and echogenicity; presence of dilated ducts or other intraglandular lesions; inflammatory changes in adjacent tissues; lymphadenopathy; and involvement of other salivary glands. Results In the group with acalculous sialadenitis, 4 (50%) of the 8 patients had unilateral disease, and 11 (92%) of 12 glands were rounded. In all cases (100%), multiple hypoechoic lesions were diffusely distributed throughout the submandibular glands against a heterogeneous parenchymal background. The lesions ranged from 3 to 15 mm and were oval or round. Confluent lesions were noted in 2 glands (17%). There was no sonographic evidence of duct dilatation, calculi, or abnormal lymph nodes. All patients with calculous sialadenitis had unilateral disease; 9 had a main duct calculus (53%), 7 had intraglandular calculi (41%), and 1 had both (6%). In 14 (82%) of 17 glands, normal shape was maintained, and 11 (65%) of 17 had duct dilatation. Conclusions Acalculous submandibular sialadenitis differs from the calculous form of the disease. The former has characteristic sonographic features, including a round gland with numerous hypoechoic lesions in a heterogeneous parenchymal background. Sonographic imaging in conjunction with fine‐needle aspiration is useful for detection of this disorder. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 29:332–338, 2001.