High-resolution real-time ultrasonography of the submandibular salivary gland

Abstract

Twenty "normal" volunteers underwent real-time ultrasound scanning of their submandibular salivary glands in an attempt to define the normal anatomy and ultrasound characteristics of these glands and their adjacent anatomy. It is possible to define the entire gland and portions of its duct, which measures less than 3 mm in diameter. Adjacent structures are easily seen and are constant in their relationships to the gland. Three case reports demonstrate the usefulness of this approach to various clinical problems. Real-time ultrasonography is an easily applied, non-ionizing modality to image the submandibular fossa.