ROLE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING SIALOGRAPHY IN DIAGNOSIS OF SALIVARY GLAND DUCT DISEASES

Abstract

Salivary gland duct diseases have been commonly addressed and investigated using ultrasound and conventional radiographic techniques. However, ultrasound assessment displays a limited view of the salivary ductal tree. While conventional X-ray or CT sialography may provide acceptable spatial anatomy, a number of drawbacks were reported, with complications such as trauma or acinar rupture and sepsis, and contraindications such as acute parotitis or contrast material allergy, not to mention the required high operator experience and patient compliance.MR sialography is a new nonionizing noninvasive technique that is being developed to evaluate diseases of the salivary ducts. Adequate assessment of the duct system is obtainable, with no involvement of invasive techniques, or contrast material or radiation exposure.MR sialography offers many advantages over alternative imaging techniques such as conventional x-ray sialography. These include the noninvasive technique; avoiding contrast media, ionizing radiation, and dependence on an experienced operator.Details provided by MRI sialography are considered to be of value for the interventional decision-making process. These details include the distance of the obstructing cause from the ductal punctum, the size and number of stones, ductal mapping and diameters, Upstream dilatation, and ductal condition.