title: Doppler sonography of the normal lacrimal gland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We used Doppler sonography to determine the resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) of the normal lacrimal artery (LA) in both females and males. We also compared the values obtained at various periods of reproductive life.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was performed in 25 prepubertal girls, 28 females of reproductive age, and 27 postmenopausal women, 23 pregnant women, and 104 healthy males. Doppler sonography was used to determine the RI and PI of the LA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean PI for the entire patient population was 1.48 +/- 0.60 and the RI was 0.72 +/- 0.09. The RI and PI values of the LA did not differ between males and females. Similarly, the mean RI and PI values of the LA did not change significantly between the various reproductive phases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PI and RI of the lacrimal gland are similar in both sexes. Moreover, they are not altered by changes in levels of sex steroids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Kirikkale University School of Medicine, Kirikkale, Turkey. mykardeniz@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Yasemin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bilgili
authors.forename: Pelin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Taner
authors.forename: Birsen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Unal
authors.forename: Ilknur
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Simsir
authors.forename: Simay Altan
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kara
authors.forename: Merih
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bayram
authors.forename: Banu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alicioglu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology