title: Imaging the major salivary glands.
abstract: Advances in imaging have led to improved sensitivity in the diagnosis of diseases that involve the major salivary glands. Ultrasound (US), plain radiography and sialography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and nuclear scintigraphy/positron emission tomography (PET) all play a part, and imaging often assists in the planning of further management, operative or otherwise. We review the methods used for imaging the major salivary glands, and apply the indications for these methods to the principal pathological processes.
authors.affiliation: Eastbourne District General Hospital, Kings Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex, United Kingdom. drchristopherburke@hotmail.com
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Howlett
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D015494:Salivary Gland Calculi / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary; D012793:Sialadenitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012796:Sialography; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography