The superficial mandibular gland of the rabbit: a new experimental model for scintigraphic evaluation of salivary glands.
The aim of this study was to provide an appropriate experimental model to study functional changes in salivary glands using scintigraphy. Although the rabbit was frequently used for laboratory experiments, there are only a few studies that describe the exact position of its different salivary glands on the sialoscintigram. Twenty rabbits were used for the study; ten of them were anatomically dissected to provide the required topographic anatomy on the different salivary and lacrimal glands. The remaining ten animals underwent a static scintigraphy after extirpation of a particular salivary gland. Changes in the pattern of tracer uptake indicated the exact position of every gland allowing its evaluation. The results show that the 99mTcO4- uptake can only be selectively evaluated in two salivary glands, the superficial mandibular gland and the parotid gland. The superficial mandibular gland was proved to be a particularly useful model to evaluate functional changes of salivary gland parenchyma due to its well defined and high enhanced structure which allows a precise detection and measurement of the tracer uptake. Additionally, the good surgical accessibility of this gland and the existence of a well defined capsule facilitate associated histological studies of its parenchyma.
Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University of Luebeck, Germany.
S G
SG
Hakim
I
I
Lauer
H
H
Kosmehl
P
P
Sieg
D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000502:physiology
D013670:Sodium Pertechnetate Tc 99m