Doppler sonography of the normal lacrimal gland.
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.
Bilgili
Yasemin
Y
Department of Radiology, Kirikkale University School of Medicine, Kirikkale, Turkey. mykardeniz@hotmail.com
Taner
Pelin
P
Unal
Birsen
B
Simsir
Ilknur
I
Kara
Simay Altan
SA
Bayram
Merih
M
Alicioglu
Banu
B
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