Ultrasound Evaluations of Major Salivary Gland Pathology

Abstract

No single sonographic feature is enough to distinguish gland disorders. Major salivary gland diseases are either localized or diffuse. Imaging must identify neoplastic from non-neoplastic diseases using Ultrasound, which is a non-invasive, low-cost, and accessible imaging method for the major salivary gland evaluation. Color Doppler in addition to B-mode ultrasound assesses gland enlargement and detects inflammatory, benign, and malignant gland enlargement. Moreover, this study aims to assess the diagnostic effectiveness of ultrasonography in diagnosis of major salivary gland pathology. Method: Ninety Major Salivary Gland swelling patients underwent preoperative ultra-sonography with a high-frequency linear probe. Echotexture, internal Calcification, focal lesion borders, lymphadenopathy, tumor shape, duct dilatation, and blood supply distribution were examined using color Doppler and B-mode Ultrasound. Result: A histological investigation of 62 tumors identified 18 malignant and 44 benign, with 68.2% of the benign group being pleomorphic adenoma and 61.1% of the malignant group being mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The rest of the cases, 28 cases were inflammatory, 50% of which were sialolithiasis. The sonographic features of malignant and benign differ significantly in echogenicity, posterior echo-enhancement, vascularity, morphology, and homogeneity and Calcification. All groups show considerable differences in duct dilatation, duct calcification, and homogeneity. Conclusion: Ultrasonography demonstrating excellent diagnostic efficacy in assessing salivary gland function, based on these results Ultrasonography may help reduce unnecessary biopsies especially in inflammatory cases.