title: CT-based parotid gland location: implications for preservation of parotid function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The position of the parotid gland in relation to surrounding structures was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-five patients with head and neck tumours were prospectively evaluated. Parotid position was determined using beam's eye views of CT images projected on simulator films. Distances between the different borders of the parotid gland and surrounding bony marks were quantitatively assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The parotid gland volume ranged from 12.9 to 46.4 cm(3). The distance between the cranial border of the parotid gland and the tuberculum anterior of the atlas ranged between 0.7 and 4.8 cm. The position of the parotid gland was unaffected by the angle of the mandible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The size and position of the parotid gland varies largely among patients. As the extent of radiation-induced salivary dysfunction depends on the volume of the gland tissue exposed, CT-based simulation of radiation fields is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiotherapy, University of Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Roesink
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Terhaard
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Moerland
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Iersel
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Battermann
mesh_terms: D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed